Earlier today on Bellshill Salvation Army Band’s Facebook page I shared the devotions I shared at our band practice last Wednesday evening. I’d like to share those devotions with you tonight.
There’s a moment on certain journeys—whether you’re driving through a tunnel, walking a long corridor, or simply moving through a difficult season—when you finally see it. A glow. A softening. A hint that the darkness is thinning. And something inside you lifts, even before you reach the end.
That’s what hope often feels like. Not a sudden floodlight, but a gentle promise: “You’re getting there. Keep going.”
Every one of us knows what it’s like to walk through a tunnel season. A season where:
- You’re doing the right things, but it still feels hard.
- You’re trying to pray, but you have no words.
- You’re praying, but answers seem slow.
- You’re showing up, but you’re tired.
- You’re trusting God, but you can’t yet see what He’s doing.
Tunnels don’t mean we’re lost. They simply mean we’re passing through something.
And even when we can’t see the end, God’s light is already there — steady, waiting, drawing us forward.
One of the most comforting verse we find in the bible reminds us that God’s light isn’t only at the end of the tunnel. It’s beside us in the tunnel.
𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟖:𝟐𝟖
“𝑌𝑜𝑢, 𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑, 𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔; 𝑚𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑚𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡.”
God doesn’t say, “I’ll meet you when you get through this.”
He says, “I’m walking every step with you, and I’m lighting the way as we go.”
Sometimes His light looks like strength you didn’t know you had.
Sometimes it’s a word from a friend.
Sometimes it’s a moment of peace in the middle of chaos.
Sometimes it’s simply the reminder that you’re not alone.
At work I often have days where I’m in meetings all day, but when I do have non-meeting times, I tend to have my AirPods in so I can listen to some music while I work. I’ve usually got my music on shuffle so I have no idea what music I’m going to hear next, but earlier this week one of the songs that came on was “Light of the World” by Lauren Daigle.
It reinforced for me the thoughts that I’ve shared tonight as it captures the truth that God’s light will break through our darkness, often quietly but powerfully — guiding, comforting, and reminding us that hope is never out of reach.
It felt like a great reminder that as a band: we don’t just play music; we carry God’s light. Every rehearsal, every Sunday, and every piece of music we play is a chance to shine God’s light of hope into the tunnel of darkness someone may be experiencing.
If you’re in a bright season—give thanks.
If you’re in a tunnel—hold on.
If you’re somewhere in between—keep walking.
The light is real.
The light is coming.
And the Light of the World walks with you.
𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫
Lord, thank You that Your light is never out of reach.
Shine into our tunnels, brighten our steps, and steady our hearts.
Help us carry Your light into our music, our church, our communities, and our everyday lives.
And when the journey feels long, remind us that You are both our guide and our destination.
Amen.
The Distinct Dot 