Sometimes the Unknown Is Better – March 16, 2026
“For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. 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. But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame. “Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one in covenant with me, blind like the servant of the LORD? You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.” It pleased the LORD for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious. Isaiah 42:14-21
Sometimes the Unknown Is Better
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Have you ever gone somewhere you’ve never been before? Maybe a new school, a new park, or a new friend’s house? Sometimes that can feel a little scary. When we don’t know where we are or don’t recognize anything around us, we might feel nervous. Most of us like places that feel familiar. We like to know where our favorite restaurants are, where our friends live, where we grocery shop, and where we go to church.
But sometimes going somewhere new turns out to be really great! Maybe your family surprised you with a trip to a theme park. At first you didn’t know where anything was—but then you found amazing rides and fun things to do! Or maybe you tried a brand-new restaurant and the food ended up being one of the best meals you’ve ever had. When something new turns out to be even better than we expected, the “unknown” doesn’t feel so scary anymore.
God once made a promise to his people in the Old Testament. He said, “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them . . .” (Isaiah 42:16). God’s people knew what it felt like to walk on scary, unfamiliar paths. They had been slaves in Egypt. They had traveled through a hot desert. Their nation had been divided. They had even been taken far away to live in another country as exiles. That’s a lot of unknown places! No thanks!
But God had something better planned. God was leading his people on the most important path of all—the path to salvation. For a long time, the people didn’t fully understand how God would save them. It was still unknown to them.
Then God sent Jesus. He would lead people to their salvation, paving the way by his perfect life and enabling them to see their salvation, something they were too blind to see on their own. Without Jesus, we would be lost in the darkness of sin, like people who can’t see where they are going. But through the good news of the gospel, Jesus helps us see the way to God.
So sometimes the unknown isn’t something to be afraid of. In fact, the best news ever—the gospel about Jesus—was once unknown to us. And now it shows us the most wonderful path of all: the path to eternal life with God.
Thank God for opening our eyes so we can see it!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for taking us down the unfamiliar path of salvation, which we could never have known without the gospel. It is better than we ever could have imagined! Amen.
The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.
Questions for Younger Children
- Can you think of a time when you were nervous to try something new—like a new food, a new activity, or a new place—but it ended up being really fun? What happened?
- Some people feel unsure or nervous about Christianity because they don’t know much about it. What are some ways we could show them that following Jesus is good and joyful?
Questions for Elementary Age Children
- What does God use to help people learn about Jesus and salvation?
- True or False: “The Bible teaches us how to earn our way to heaven.” Why is the answer true or false?
Questions for Middle School and Above
- God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Which person of the Trinity works in our hearts to help us believe the good news about Jesus?
- Agree or disagree? While a person needs the gospel to make salvation known to them, it isn’t because the message of the gospel is complicated.
