Today’s Daily Bread ~ Walking by faith…

Psalm 5:8 – Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me.  Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.

The other day I had my two children out in the stroller.  Our routine is to run to a park a couple of miles away, play for awhile, then run back.

Needing a change of scenery, I decided to take a different route home, a way I’d never gone before.  We’d run about five or ten minutes, when I saw in the distance the end of the sidewalk.  And it wasn’t just grass…it was about a hundred or so meters of tall weeds and overgrown underbrush. 

It was a busy, six lane street, with no break in the traffic and no intersection at which to cross.  If it were just me, I wouldn’t hesitate to run in the street, but with my two kids in my double-wide jogger stroller?  No way.  I’d have to find a way to run through the weeds.

From a distance, it looked impossible.  As we drew closer, I began to make something out.  A faint, narrow path, probably created by bikers and fellow stroller-moms.  My kids and I got through it fairly easily, but running on ground compared to pavement is always tough.  At the next intersection, I stopped for a few minutes to catch my breath.  I turned to look at what I’d run through, and my eyebrows shot up.  Even at twenty feet away, I couldn’t see the little trail.  You had to be right up on it to see that there was a way to make it through. 

As I continued to gasp for air and wait for my heartbeat to return to a semi-normal rate,  I looked up at the sky.  “I know what You’re doing,” I told God.  “You’re telling me not to worry about the future.  You’re telling me that You’ll make the way clear when it’s time.  Not a second sooner, right?”  Somewhere in my spirit, I felt Him smile.  “Now You’re getting, it my child.  Walk by faith, not by sight.”

Psalm 119:105 is a verse treasured by many, including me.  “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith turned it into a song.  The lyrics following those words sum up the concept of walking by faith – “When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way, still You’re there right beside me.  Nothing will I fear, as long as You are here, please be near me to the end.”  Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

God doesn’t shine a spotlight down our path so we can see where we’re going.  Instead, when we read the Word, listen for His voice, and seek His will, He holds a lantern to our feet so we know where to step.  One foot in front of the other.  And we can step confidently, knowing that we are not alone.  Isaiah 41:10 promises us this – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you.  I will help you.  I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”  One verse – five promises.

Dear Heavenly Father, we love You so much.  Please sharpen our spiritual sight, Lord, help us to see the way through the wilderness.  Help us to remember that Jesus is the Way…the only Way.  He is the truth, and the light, and all we’ll ever need.  Impress this upon our hearts, God, don’t let worldly circumstances cloud our vision!  When the path appears too dark, remind us to cling to You and only You.  Help us not to stray from studying Your Word, convict us to remain diligent.  Help us to shine the light of Jesus for our brothers and sisters in Christ, always encouraging each other.  We ask these things in the beautiful name of Christ, our Lord.  Amen.