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The God who leads the Blind!

By Helen Jesze, 28^th August 2021

“ I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them,”

Isaiah 42:16 NIV

What an enormous blessing it is, to be able to see! So often we take for granted that we have eyes which can see, ears which can hear, a mouth which can speak, and that we have all our faculties! Reading this verse started me thinking about those who cannot see; I cannot imagine what challenges they face, and the enormous courage they so often show!

In a blind person’s home, everything must be kept in its appointed place so that they have all they need to hand. Their furniture must not be moved around, but kept a certain way which makes it easier for them to move freely, and not trip or fall. When they go outside, they must be careful they do not get lost or be knocked down.

I was reminded of my father-in-law, Edward Jesze. Edward had Diabetes which caused him to go blind for the latter part of his life. One day, he took his white stick and we went for a walk together. At first, I purposely hung back to watch what he did. Edward walked a few yards down his road, a cul-de-sac. He listened to hear if traffic was coming, then as all was quiet, he crossed to the other side, and I followed. Then he took a certain direction, going down another road, crossing from pavement to pavement, and I was amazed how well he did this. The secret was, he had often done this – he was on a familiar path, a way he knew well.

This Bible verse tells how God wants to lead those who are blind, and that he will not leave them to struggle on their own but will lead them on those ways which are unfamiliar. He sees their vulnerability and fear, and will lead them tenderly, carefully. One night we were coming home from a service, and were all rejoicing at what the Lord had done that evening. George was parking the car, the children and I were walking down the garden path, and because Emma, Edward’s wife wanted to unlock the door, I took his arm. All went well until suddenly there was a bump and Edward cried out – he had walked into a drain-pipe. I had not been careful enough, not noticing he was getting too close to the wall. He had a big bruise on his temple, but thank God, it had missed his eye being injured! I learnt that it is not so easy to lead the blind as we might think.

Our Heavenly Father would never be so careless as I was. When he leads us, he watches over our every step. Only when we go our own way do we have tumbles and scrapes, and bump into obstacles on Life’s journey. Mankind is spiritually blind, and is groping like a blind person, trying to find the way. God even says he will make darkness light before us. When circumstances block and hinder, when all is darkness and we cannot see a hand in front, he will bring us out, upholding us by his strong right arm, bringing us the physical, mental or spiritual sight that we need.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for these encouraging words, and we claim them today for our lives. In the face of darkness, we speak forth light into our situations, courage and faith to believe you are undertaking! Thank you that you will lead us where we do not know the way, and that you will make the rough places smooth. Thank you for your fantastic promise that YOU WILL NOT FORSAKE US! In the Name of Jesus, we pray, Amen!