Tough Times

Scripture: Isaiah 42: 16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.

Observation: The Lord is acknowledging that people are not perfect in the reference to the blind. (We are all blind in different ways) We all find ourselves on paths that we do not know and places that are unfamiliar to us. These places are scary, intimidating and overwhelming. However, we have a promise from God of His presence and His action. He will turn the lights on and smooth out the rough spots. We are promised that He wil not forget us.

Application: We face such turmoil in our lives. The death of a loved one; the struggle to pay bills; the foreclosure on a house; receiving the word from the doctor that it is cancer; the loss of a job; and the list goes on and on. Often times we wonder how we can go on to the next moment in life. How am I going to get through this time? The Lord has promised and we find hope in knowing that He is leading us by was we have now known. He is our guide in life that will light the path and make the rough places smooth. It is through His love and grace that we can endure and prevail in whatever life may throw at us. He is God! There is nothing as powerfule and yet wonderful in the universe.

Prayer: Loving God, we find comfort in your words of encouragement. There is a strength found in the knowledge that you are with us as we walk down the path of life. We thank you for that assurance and ask that we be constantly reminded of your love and our need for it. Aen.