Isaiah 9:1, 2, 4-6 (NLT). Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. 2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine…4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. 5 The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. 6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Psalm 84:5-7 (NLT). What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. 7 They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
Observation
“Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever.” When you are in the midst of a situation that is impossible to bear and feeling overwhelmed by darkness, despair battles with hope in you. You need the help of the Lord to climb out of darkness, turn from despair and embrace hope. If we rely on our own strength in these times, we can ignore the reality of it, bury it, blame God for it or bear it, but it will only become the yoke of our slavery and heavy burden on our shoulders if we do. Choosing to go it on our own will lead us farther into the darkness we are trying to escape. However, if we choose to surrender our strength, our efforts, our control, The Lord is able to take us through the Valley of Weeping and Despair into that place of refreshing springs, blessings and peace that We find in His light.
Impact on Me
In 1984, we had just arrived in Texas when we received the call from my sister telling us that our 15-year-old daughter had been in a serious car accident resulting in a spinal injury and probable paralysis. Just facing the impact on our daughter’s life was darkness enough, but we were self-employed fisherman with no health insurance because the cost was prohibitive. We recognized very early on that any effort or solution we could contribute in this situation would be insufficient to change our daughter’s condition; even the doctors predicted extensive paralysis regardless of all they could do. We needed miracles – plain and simple – nothing else would do.
Our logical minds told us to accept the reality that was humanly possible – our daughter’s future and dreams severely impacted by paralysis as well as financial ruin for us – while hope spoke to us of God’s real ability to provide and turn the situation around that seemed so impossible. We could choose to embrace darkness or Light, despair or hope, our impossibilities or God’s possibilities. Our gracious, merciful and loving Father filled us with Gift Faith to choose Light, hope and the impossible. Thirty years later, our daughter walks on crutches, has a wonderful Godly husband, 3 children and 6 grandchildren (and counting) born to them who love and serve the Lord. She is a wonderful Godly woman, self-employed, serves in many ministry capacities in her church and is a shining witness that miracles are available for those today who will embrace them.
I find that Despair and his buddies are always ready to climb on my life bus and offer to drive when I am tired, disgusted, angry, self-absorbed, whining, worried, or overwhelmed by the enormity or futility of my current struggle. As I grow in wisdom, knowledge of the Word, and experience with the Lord, I have become more assertive in kicking Despair’s team off my bus because I am committed to let Hope and Faith drive. I am learning to let the Holy Spirit keep the map, choose the route, determine the stops along the way and leave me to enjoy the ride. Sometimes I am challenged, convicted or sorrowed by a part of the journey and sometimes I am thrilled and blessed. All I can be sure of is that Faith and Hope know the way and will get me to my final destination. Shalom.
PRAYER
God of my hope, Jehovah Jireh, the Light unto my path, I praise You and thank You for caring for me. When I invite You to meet me, walk with me and guide me through my desperate times, You are faithful to be there and stay alongside regardless of my whining, my waffling, my selfish narrowness of vision. When I invite You into my good times, You celebrate with me and remind me that I am there because I listened and walked with You through the dark times. May my walk always coincide with Yours because I choose to move toward You and link my arm with Yours. I commit to keep You driving my bus. In Jesus’ name, make it so.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 