Navigating in the Darkness
Psalm 89:15 “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.”
Have you ever driven at night in the countryside? It’s dark…really dark. There are no street lights and so few houses that there is little to light the way to help you see where you’re going. Headlights are a necessity. They illuminate the road ahead and when the light shines on the road lines, the glass beads in the reflective paint make the edges of the road easier to see. We can navigate those twists and turns in the road much better.
But headlights help us spot obstacles as well. When there is something in the road that shouldn’t be, we can see it ahead because our headlights shine far enough ahead to give us time to avoid something that might cause damage.
Headlights also illuminate critters- those wandering night animals who don’t quite understand the dangers of crossing the road. Sometimes we’ll see their eyes shine as they catch the oncoming headlights and we know to slow quickly and be aware. Other times, they might catch us by surprise, jumping out in front of us when we least expect it. They lurk in the dark and then, suddenly, they jump into the light and we react, hopefully quickly enough to avoid disaster.
But, headlights don’t just illuminate our way, they also help make us visible to others. Sometimes at dusk, people will forget to turn on their headlights. As their eyes acclimate to the growing darkness, they drive without realizing just how dark it is. While other drives will flash their lights to try and alert the driver, sometimes they continue, oblivious to the darkness and pending danger.
If our headlights are dim, we struggle to see well and our confidence is weakened. We might not drive as quickly or as far. We worry about what we cannot see and we wonder if the road ahead is safe.
Friends, this is such a picture of life, isn’t it? We desperately need the light of Jesus to navigate in the darkness of this world. There are dangers ahead that, without Jesus to help us discern, we may lose our way and stray from His path. Sometimes we find it hard to recognize the dangers in the darkness and we need His light to illuminate those things that are not of God. The enemy lurks in the darkness, putting obstacles in our way and attacking us unexpectedly. The Light of God’s Word and of His Presence offer wisdom, insight and protection. We can’t navigate this life safely on our own- our eyes are dim and we far too easily acclimate to the darkness. Sin is present and strong…but Jesus is stronger!
So today, let’s pray through these scriptures and ask the Lord to work in the hearts, minds, and lives of our sons and daughters, so they would live in the Light of Jesus and they would depend on His light to help them navigate the darkness.
Pray that our sons and daughters know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and follow Him without compromise. He is the light of the world, without Him, we walk in darkness.
John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Pray that our sons and daughters have a thirst for God’s Word and a longing to spend time in His Presence each day. It’s important to listen and learn so we can be alert and aware of those dangers that we might encounter and be watchful of where God leads.
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Pray that our sons and daughters shine brightly. Pray that they are willing to stand and shine for Jesus in a world that is becoming ever darker. When we are believers in Christ, He shines through us. We need to reflect the light of Christ to others and be a testimony of His life-giving and light-producing presence in our lives.
Mt 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Pray, pray, pray that our sons and daughters do not veer off God’s path to follow those who walk in darkness.
Proverbs 4:19 “But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.”
1 John 1:6 “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”
Friends, let’s pray for our sons and daughters with a fervency and urgency that attests to the days in which we live. This world is full of darkness, but Jesus is the light of the world! Pray that our sons and daughters choose to follow Jesus, no matter what.
Pray without ceasing.