When the Road Darkens

14 Sep When the Road Darkens

Read  Habakkuk 3:17-19
Thought for the Day: True faith is resilient when the road darkens!

Early on in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, we are introduced to a dwarf named Gimli. A fierce warrior who comes from a long line of warriors, Gimli is no stranger to hardship. He willingly pledges his ax in support of Frodo’s quest to destroy the One Ring. Before departing on the journey, Gimli vows to carry on no matter what happens and declares: “Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.” Throughout the journey, Gimli’s declaration is repeatedly put to the test. However, he never gives up because he is resilient. No matter the challenge, Gimli continues to be a faithful companion.

From the prophet Habakkuk, we learn that true faith is resilient even when the road darkens: “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” It is important to not only love God in the good times when there is a plentiful harvest. True faith is resilient and follows God even when our road darkens.

Do we say farewell to God when things start to go awry? Staying the course and faithfully serving God is difficult, but incredibly rewarding. Anyone can be a “fair-weather friend” to God. True faith trusts God consistently, and this includes the times when our life is difficult. Today, let’s learn the lesson of Gimli by staying faithful even when the road darkens!

In Christ,
Pastor David (and Stan)