Isaiah 42:16 - leading the blind

Isaiah 42: 16.

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;
I will lead them in paths they have not known.
I will make darkness light before them,
And crooked places straight.
These things I will do for them,
And not forsake them.


This was one of the Scriptures we looked at last tuesday night as part of a study on the promises of God regarding help in times of need. But then I got to wondering why a truly blind person would need “light before them?” I submit that what God is promising here goes beyond “help” – whatever that general term may mean to you and me. I think there are specific answers in this verse. He will provide solutions we never thought about to problems that seem unsolvable (“paths they did not know”). He will clarify our minds in order that we may discern the correct decisions we must make among many possible, but wrong, choices (“make … crooked places straight”). Sometimes we are blinded by our own choices – we can’t get closer to God, or make better business decisions, or be better husbands or fathers because we choose to be afraid of what we don’t know, what we haven’t done, or what we can’t (or won't) see. But God has promised to make the darkness of fear, worry, and indecision give way to the light of His wisdom, His direction, and His leadership.

Lord, don’t let me be afraid to be led by you to the places you want me to go.