A Forest Dark
A memorable line in Dante’s “Divine Comedy” reads, “Midway upon the journey of our life I found myself within a forest dark, for the straightforward pathway had been lost” (Dante, “Divine Comedy,” Cantor 1).
Have you ever found yourself in a “forest dark?” Over the years, I have had people say to me, “I am so confused,” meaning they did not know what to do in their situation. When we lose the “straightforward path,” we find ourselves in a “dark forest,” being unable to see clearly where to go or what to do next.
When you lose the straightforward path and find yourself in the forest dark, turn on the light, the light of God’s Word.
The Palmist says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105) and “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Ps. 119:130).
When confused, search the Scripture for light, that is, insight concerning what to do in that situation. If you do not know where to look or you are not successful in you search, ask the Lord to show you where to look. He may show you the light from Scripture without any outside help. If you are still in the dark, ask a knowledgeable believer for a biblical answer. By the way, my experience has been that most believers do not know either. You will probably have to ask more than one. At any rate, the point is for God’s Word to shed light on the “forest dark” of life. The Palmist discovered, “For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness” (Ps. 18:28).
Finding an answer as to what to do (notice I did not say “an answer” to the problem), is not the whole story. The rest of the story is that you will need strength to do what the Word says. The Lord provides strength to those who trust Him. The Palmist exclaimed, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27:1). When you open the Bible, it is like opening a gadget and the instructions inside saying “batteries included.” God provides the power to do what He has told us to do.
So when you lose the straightforward pathway and find yourself in “forest dark,” turn to the Word of God for light and the God of the Word for the strength to go where that light leads you. Search the Word and seek the Lord.
God responds to those who trust Him. So “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6). Do not try to live life by just leaning on your understand. Life is too complicated for that. Life comes with an instruction manual, God’s Word, and the package includes a power pack, even in the darkest of times.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 2/252010
Have you ever found yourself in a “forest dark?” Over the years, I have had people say to me, “I am so confused,” meaning they did not know what to do in their situation. When we lose the “straightforward path,” we find ourselves in a “dark forest,” being unable to see clearly where to go or what to do next.
When you lose the straightforward path and find yourself in the forest dark, turn on the light, the light of God’s Word.
The Palmist says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105) and “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Ps. 119:130).
When confused, search the Scripture for light, that is, insight concerning what to do in that situation. If you do not know where to look or you are not successful in you search, ask the Lord to show you where to look. He may show you the light from Scripture without any outside help. If you are still in the dark, ask a knowledgeable believer for a biblical answer. By the way, my experience has been that most believers do not know either. You will probably have to ask more than one. At any rate, the point is for God’s Word to shed light on the “forest dark” of life. The Palmist discovered, “For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness” (Ps. 18:28).
Finding an answer as to what to do (notice I did not say “an answer” to the problem), is not the whole story. The rest of the story is that you will need strength to do what the Word says. The Lord provides strength to those who trust Him. The Palmist exclaimed, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27:1). When you open the Bible, it is like opening a gadget and the instructions inside saying “batteries included.” God provides the power to do what He has told us to do.
So when you lose the straightforward pathway and find yourself in “forest dark,” turn to the Word of God for light and the God of the Word for the strength to go where that light leads you. Search the Word and seek the Lord.
God responds to those who trust Him. So “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6). Do not try to live life by just leaning on your understand. Life is too complicated for that. Life comes with an instruction manual, God’s Word, and the package includes a power pack, even in the darkest of times.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 2/252010