We cannot go very far in life without encountering a patch of road that is scary. Unless, of course, we choose to stay off the roads and paths of life altogether.

Some people do that. They avoid all conflicts in life by parking themselves in front of a TV, a computer, or some other private diversion, keeping to the shadows. They may not even work outside the home, if possible, so that they can remain hidden, protected from the pains and difficulties that others must endure.

But I’m talking here about most of us. We are traveling down the road of life, taking the path we believe we should be on. We are trying to make some progress, and like Bunyan’s Pilgrim (”Christian,” by name) we face many kinds of obstacles, some difficulties, and not a few seeming opportunities along the way.

At times the path or road of life is scary, when we cannot see clearly what waits ahead of us. The way is slippery and dark, and it may even descend downward into deeper shadows (that much we can see!).  The path is made even darker and more dangerous by thickly grown trees and vines and briars that threaten to pull and tear at anyone who ventures ahead. The way twists and turns and narrows ahead, and the ground is very rough, pitted with holes and broken by large stones on which our feet are sure to stumble.

That much we can see.  And we are right to be concerned.  Who would be eager to advance into such a place? We wonder if we should not try to find another route or maybe even turn back. We fear for our own safety and for the well-being of those who must travel life’s road with us.

Sometimes such a stretch only continues for a small distance. And so we may take a deep breath and, holding it in, simply rush ahead, hoping to get through it and past it before anything terrible can happen. At other times we can plainly see that the darkness and danger will continue for a very long way.  And we worry then that if we go down that path we may never come out on the other side.

Our dread of such a dark path is not in vain. If we were to travel down into and through such valleys alone, we would likely fall into some pit or be pulled and torn by an overreaching briar or even forced off the path altogether by tangles of fallen trees, black and rotting in the way.

Thankfully, we do not travel alone. Followers of Jesus, we are where we belong (no matter how dark the way), when we walk in the footsteps of the Lord of Light.

Remember what Jesus said? “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NRSV)

The way around us can be totally dark, yet the way before us will have light when we follow Jesus. He is perfect light and absolute truth.

The psalmist of Psalm 119 said as much when he wrote to the Lord, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105, KJV)

Even though I am a Christian believer, and have known Christ for many years, I find that I still don’t know the answers to many of life’s questions, and I still face places and stretches in my life that are dark and threatening. I simply cannot see into the future, and it’s difficult, at times, for me to know what choices to make.

Which way should I go, and what should I do? In the thick black darkness of this valley or that long night, I simply can’t always tell which is the real path and which is the way that may lead straight into the enemy’s lair. I find that I need the words and instructions of the Lord Jesus to guide me.

I need the Word of God to direct my steps. I need the warnings to meditate on and the promises to trust in.

I am again reminded of the psalmist of Psalm 119. He understood the difficulties of life and the confusion of dark times. He wrote, “I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11, NRSV)

God did not give us His Son in vain. He offers His Son to every human soul who longs for truth and rescue and eternal life.

Likewise, He has not given His message in vain but for a reason.  God gives us the Book of Holy Scripture — the Bible — to take into our very hearts and minds.  It is good for instruction, for correction, for making us ready to face the day (or the long night) ahead of us.

I now know that Jesus will guide me in all the ways of life. It is no longer a matter of faith alone, but a fact of life.  I’ve learned this in my many travels and in every challenge and difficulty I’ve faced in this world.

I have discovered that there is no path so dark, no valley so deep, no desert pathway so remote that Jesus is not there to guide me and keep me.  He is faithful and true.
I have also discovered that the mind disciplined by God’s Word is a mind free of needless dread and foolish superstitions. Let the darkest shadows play where they will and run at me if they so desire. They are less than a cloud driven by the wind.

My heart is kept by God’s Word. The light is always on before me and so my feet are never stumbling in darkness. My mind is not distracted by the darkness and shadows that must ever flee God’s sweet light.

The Lord Jesus is my Shepherd, my Rescuer, my Lord and Keeper. I treasure His promises and His warnings, for they will never lead me in the wrong way. Better than the words of mortal men for showing me wisdom, God’s words are perfect truth.

The Lord Jesus will keep you this good day as you trust in Him. His great hand is there to direct your path in every kind of fog and storm, every dark night and in every stretch of desert road. With Him are endless streams of fresh water and the soothing breezes of morning brightness. In Him there are no shadows and no tricks. He is the Lord of Light, the Ultimate Light itself.

God’s best.

Jim