As a 20-year-old Bible college graduate, I kissed my parents goodbye and went to teach the Bible in south-east Asia. I had planned the whole adventure on my own and was travelling by myself for the entire sum- mer. I was thrilled – that is, until my first day in the country when I found myself sitting cross-legged on a cold tile floor with my back against a wall. Far from anything familiar and with no one to talk to, I felt deeply and  utterly alone.

  

Sometimes we force our own backs against a wall; at other times life pushes us there. We may be anxious, depressed, afraid for the future or lonely. We know we can’t backtrack, but the way ahead looks murky.

  

I imagine David feeling this way when he wrote, ‘I walk through the darkest valley’ (Psalm 23:4, NIV). Yet he was careful to add: ‘I will fear no evil, for you are with me.’ When our backs are against the wall, we can look to our heavenly Father for peace. Like David, when we focus not  on the darkness but on God’s goodness, we can find comfort. That day,  I sang in worship to God.

  

Someone else might have quoted scripture or prayed. However, we respond, we can trust that God is always with us, leading us through the darkness.

Prayer: Dear Father God, thank you for comforting us with your words in scripture that remind us of your faithful presence. Amen