Issue 834 – Night March – August 23, 2022
It was a dark and stormy night. I know that’s an old cliché, but I’ve always wanted to write it. It was, in fact, a dark night (there was no moon) and stormy (it was pouring rain at times). I couldn’t take pictures that night, so today’s image is something I downloaded.
We were on a night march during basic training with the Canadian Armed Forces. We had an objective to find some miles away using only a compass. In order to maintain light discipline, the map could only be read by flashlight under a poncho.
It was so dark and the bush so thick in places that we literally had to hold on to the belt of the man in front to stay together. Even from that distance, you couldn’t see the man in front.
If the person in the lead stumbled over something, so did everyone else. It was a real challenge to stay together. We were exercising noise discipline, so no more than the odd whisper was allowed. There were a lot of muffled curses and groans.
If you got separated, there would be no finding the group again, and the squad would be penalized, so we had to hold on tight no matter what. I understood the reality of the old cliché about the blind leading the blind that night.
Not only was it a night march to test our orienteering skills under less-than-ideal conditions, but it was also a team-building exercise. There was nothing to be done but hold on tight to the man in front and trust the leader with the compass. That was hard at times because every step seemed like we were walking miles, and it was unfamiliar terrain, so we had no landmarks to go by.
Eventually, we came out within about 20 feet of our mark and within the prescribed time. We weren’t the first team but far from the last. One team had to be found after daylight and was located about two miles off course. The training staff was less than impressed about having to look for them. A few stragglers who separated from their teams also had to be rounded up.
We’re called to trust God even more than we had to trust the man in front of us that dark, miserable night.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Sometimes in our faith walk, we don’t know where God is leading, we don’t know how we’re going to get there, and everything seems to press in around us. He’s a much better guide than my teammate with the compass. God never fails to deliver on a promise. He has been faithful from before the beginning of time, and He’ll be faithful when time ceases to be.
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
Whatever you face today, trust in God to get you through it. That’s not a cliché; it’s a promise.
Until next time, put your trust in the one who always delivers.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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