ENDURING THE JOURNEY

By Jan Dravecky, Outreach of Hope

If your law had not been my delight,
 I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.Psalm 119:92

I have told you before that it has been my experience when I am in that dark valley on my journey that I cannot “feel” God’s presence.  While I may not sense God’s presence during those times I thank God that I have His Word.  God’s Word has been the tangible lifeline that has led me out of the valley.
One dark day during my depression, I became angry with God – I could not feel or sense His presence – I felt alone – my emotional pain was great.  I shouted to Him that I was going to turn from Him and turn to the world.  I desperately wanted relief from my pain.
As I turned to walk away from Him, I began thinking about what I would choose to relieve my pain.  The world offered many choices – food, drugs, alcohol, an affair, material goods, entertainment of all kinds, etc – take your pick.  The only problem?  Oh, each choice would take away the pain, but only temporarily.  I would still wake up the next morning with the same pain – with nothing changed.
I realized that the only tangible thing I knew in life that offered me eternal relief from my pain was the Word of God.  I understood what Simon Peter meant when he was given the choice to leave Jesus.  He said to Jesus:Word of God

"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
John 6:68

Simon Peter knew and had witnessed the Truth – he had no choice but Jesus.  I had no choice but to turn the Word of God – I, too, knew it was the Truth.  His Word led me out of my dark valley – His Word will lead you out of yours.  Turn to the Word of God to lead you.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
  and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105