My name is Steve Gaunt and my wife Judith and I have been part of WLA for about 30 years. We have four children, Andrew (25), Christine (22), Adam (19), and Caleb (17). I have been part of the Board of Elders, on and off, for about 20 years. Vocationally, I am an elementary school teacher at London Christian Academy and have been there 24 years. I teach Grade 5 and am also the Vice-Principal.

My heroes of the faith these days include Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, John Piper, Charles Spurgeon and St. Augustine. Recently, I have been finding great comfort and solace in the Psalms. My normal practice for many years has been to read one or more chapters of the Bible in the morning and (at least once a week) to write a short reflection of what the Lord is saying to me in his Word.  

Psalm 119:105-128 (ESV)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (v105). God’s word lights up the way. His truth illumines and makes things clear so that the way I should go and what I should do is known to me. Light dispels darkness - the darkness of anxiety and worry; the darkness of uncertainty and doubt; the darkness of deceit and untruth; the darkness of depression and low self-worth; the darkness of the influence of the world, my flesh, and the devil. ALL darkness is dispelled by the light of God’s truth. Jesus is the Light! (John 8:12). Jesus is the Word! (John 1:1). He will light up my path and drive darkness away (1 John 1:5). He has delivered me from darkness and transferred me to the kingdom of his beloved Son! (Col. 1:13).

“...because I love your commands more than gold…” (v127). Lord, may this be true of me - that there is nothing in this world I would love more than you and your word. You have eternal life. Where else would I go? (John 6:68). What can riches do for me when it is my turn to die?  Nothing! (Luke 12:20). But you save! Let me store up that which will last forever - riches in heaven (Matthew 6:20). You grant eternity in heaven with riches and pleasures beyond my capacity to imagine. “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11); “But, as it is written, ’What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’” (1 Cor. 2:9). So, would I rather have thousands of pieces of gold and silver (Psalm 119:72), or would I rather have Jesus? No contest. Jesus.

As I read through the Psalms, many worship songs also come to mind (v127).  This “oldie” is still a favourite of mine from George Beverly Shea.  

My hope is that these short reflections on a couple of verses from God’s truth will be an encouragement to you as you look to him for strength and peace.