For You, O Lord, are my Lamp; the Lord lightens my darkness. – 2 Samuel 22:29

Not long ago I, my wife, and my children visited a mountain cavern tourist attraction in Western, NC. During a tour of the cavern, our guide turned out all of the lights illuminating the path we were on. She then told us to put our hands in front of our faces and tell her what we could see. I held my hand so close to my eyes that I could feel my breath against my palm, but for the life of me I could not see my hand. Such was the case with everyone.

After turning the lights back on, she told us a story of how two teenagers years ago had lost their way in the cavern. The light they had with them eventually gave out, and all they could see was the nothingness that we had just experienced. Naturally, they panicked, but after the panic passed, they stood still, and it dawned on them what they must do. There was an underground stream in the cavern, and they slowly made their way towards it, guided by the sound of running water. Once upon the brink, they placed their hands in the water, and they carefully followed the flow of the water until, hours later, they were led safely out of the cave.

There are times in life when everything around us is as pitch-black as the nothingness of that cave. We are deep within the mountain, cut off completely from light of any kind, and the panic sets it. Sometime the darkness that envelopes us is the result of our sin. Sometimes it is the by-product of obedience to our Lord’s commands. In either case, the source of the darkness is the Enemy. Whether in response to our sin or in response to obedience to Christ, Satan’s goal is to separate us from the Savior through darkness, doubt, and despair.

When deep within the mountain, our task is not to act in panic but to stop, stand still, and listen. It is when we are still that we will hear the Word of God like rivers of water in the cave, and from the darkness His Word will rescue us, if we will but follow It.

God is our light at the end of the tunnel. He is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. (Psalm 119:105) The next time darkness envelopes you, simply stand still, find your Guide, and let Him lead you out into the light.