August 29
Surrounded by Darkness,
Held by God
"So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will hold you safe in my hands. I always do what is right."
Isaiah 41:10 (NIrV)
The night was colder than usual, and Fiona shivered as she stepped out of the bar where she worked. It was late—past midnight—and most of the streets were deserted. A few dim streetlights cast long shadows on the pavement, and the occasional car whooshed by in the distance. She wrapped her coat tighter around her body and started walking toward the bus stop, her heels clicking against the concrete.
Then she heard it.
Footsteps.
At first, she told herself she was imagining things, but as she turned a corner, the sound followed—a slow, deliberate rhythm that matched her pace. Her breath quickened.
She glanced over her shoulder. A dark figure was walking a short distance behind her. Too close for comfort. Her heart pounded.
A thousand thoughts raced through her mind. Was he just another pedestrian? Or was he following her? She had heard stories—stories of women who never made it home.
Her hands trembled as she reached into her purse, gripping her phone. Should she call someone? Run? Her bus stop was still a couple of blocks away. The road ahead felt like an eternity.
Then, almost instinctively, she whispered, "God, please be with me. Protect me."
A wave of calm swept over her—not because she suddenly felt safe, but because she knew she wasn’t alone. She remembered a verse her grandmother used to quote: "Do not be afraid. I am with you."
She took a deep breath and kept walking, but this time, she straightened her posture, lifting her head with confidence. She wasn’t powerless. God was with her.
Up ahead, she spotted a convenience store that was still open. Without hesitating, she stepped inside. The bright fluorescent lights felt like a shield against the darkness outside. She stood near the counter, pretending to browse, stealing a glance at the glass door.
The man walked past without stopping.
Fiona let out a shaky breath, relief flooding her body. Maybe he had just been heading in the same direction. Maybe she had overreacted. Or maybe—just maybe—God had intervened.
She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to a coworker who lived nearby. "Can you come pick me up?"
As she waited inside, she whispered another prayer—not of desperation this time, but of gratitude.
"Thank You, Lord, for being with me. For holding me safe in Your hands."
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
There are times when fear grips us, when the darkness feels overwhelming.
But You remind us that we are never alone.
Thank You for being our protector, our refuge in moments of fear.
Help us to trust in Your presence, to remember that You walk beside us even in the scariest moments.
Give us wisdom to act wisely and the courage to lean on You.
No matter what we face, may we never forget that Your hands hold us safe.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
