Only thirty miles from freedom, four runaway slaves stopped in their tracks beneath the starlit darkness. Behind them was a life of slavery, but before them was a frigid creek that appeared impassable—one they were instructed to wade through by the woman who promised to lead them to liberty. They had no lamps, no map, and no clear path ahead—just faith in Harriet Tubman and confidence that she knew the path to freedom. On the other side of the bitter stream was an abolitionist-friendly safehouse that would send them toward independence, but they didn’t know that. They didn’t know what Tubman knew, and they couldn’t see what she saw—so, not knowing the way to go, they trusted in the one who did.

And this is what the Scripture instructs believers to do when the way in life is unclear: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5-6, KJV). Life sometimes brings you to a creek you don’t want to cross—a tumultuous tribulation, a season of unanswered prayer, or a consequential decision that is nearly impossible to make. But remember, only the Lord sees what is on the other side. You do not know what He knows, nor can you see what He sees. Therefore, when you do not know the way to go, trust in the One who does. 

King Jehoshaphat once stood where the water looked deep. Advancing upon him were the mighty Moabites and the aggressive Ammonites, and he was severely outnumbered—or so he thought. With nowhere else to look, he looked up, and prayed, “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chron. 20:12). This is what faith says in times of uncertainty: “I don’t know what to do, but I know where to look. I don’t know where to go, but I know who to follow. I don’t know how this will work out, but I know the God who works all things together for good.”

The guiding Shepherd is also the way-making Lord, and He will either lead you the right way or make a way when there isn’t one. When the Israelites fled from Egypt, they came to a standstill at the Red Sea with no way forward, and the Egyptians were hot on their heels. And although Moses did not know how they would escape, he trusted in God and said with bold faith, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD” (Ex. 14:13a). And the Creator parted the sea. The God who knows the way and makes the way is worthy of your trust when the way is unclear.

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