Escaping Giant Despair

“He has given us his very great and precious promises.” — from 2 Peter 1

One day, to make the walking easier, Christian and Hopeful stepped off the narrow path into a nicer-looking meadow. Big mistake! A storm came, they got lost, and they fell asleep in the wrong field.

At dawn a huge, cruel giant found them. His name was Giant Despair, and the field belonged to his home, Doubting Castle. He dragged the two friends off and threw them into a dark, smelly dungeon, with no food and no light, for days and days. The giant was horrible to them and told them to give up all hope.

Poor Christian and Hopeful were miserable. But Hopeful kept saying, “Take heart — hold on — God will help us.” And on Saturday at midnight, they began to pray.

Then, just before morning, Christian suddenly cried out: “What a fool I am! I have been lying in this dungeon when I could have walked free! I have a key in my pocket, called Promise, that will open any lock in Doubting Castle!”

He pulled out the key. It opened the dungeon door. It opened the outer door. It even opened the heavy iron gate. And the two friends walked free, back to the good King’s road.

When you feel trapped and hopeless, remember Christian’s key. God’s promises — the things he has told us in the Bible — can unlock any dungeon of despair. Don’t forget you’re holding the key.

Dear God, when I feel trapped and sad, help me remember your promises. Thank you that they set me free. Amen.