The Watchful Father

“He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.” — Psalm 121:3-5

A father takes his son into the forest, blindfolds him, and leaves him alone. The boy must sit on a tree stump the entire night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He is not allowed to call out for help.

This is the test of manhood.

Alone in the darkness, the boy, naturally, is terrified. He hears every sound; the howl of wild animals, the rustling of leaves, the creaking of branches. The wind shakes the stump beneath him. Every nerve screams with fear, but he stays put. He does not cry out. He does not remove the blindfold. This is his only path to becoming a man.

After what seems like a very long and unending night, the dawn breaks. The rays of the sun pierce through the trees, and the boy finally removes his blindfold.

And then he sees his father, sitting silently on the stump next to him. He had been there all night, watching, guarding, protecting his son from danger. He never left his side.

So it is with us.

In seasons of fear, silence, or uncertainty, it can feel like we are left alone to struggle in the dark. But faith reminds us that our Heavenly Father is never far away. He sits beside us, even when we cannot see or feel Him. He does not sleep. He does not abandon.

Just because you can’t see Him, doesn’t mean He’s not there. He watches. 

Life Application: 

• Are you going through a season that feels like a dark forest? 

• Have you been tempted to believe that God has left you on your own?

Remember, faith does not depend on feelings. The Bible says: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 

Trust is not built in the sunshine alone, it is forged in the dark when you choose to believe that God is near. 

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” —Psalm 23:4

God bless you,

O. Oluranti Orioke