No Easy Way Out

“He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 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.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:3-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

One of my absolute favorite movie music montages occurs in Rocky IV. After Rocky decides to avenge Apollo by fighting Drago, he argues with his wife, then he takes a drive while reflecting on his life and the challenge that lies ahead. During this montage, “No Easy Way Out” by Robert Tepper is playing, and it’s a great song about perseverance. It really hammers home the point that Rocky really has no choice. He has to fight Drago. And, whether Robert Tepper realized it or not, it also sends a message to believers about trials.

One of David’s most memorable and cherished Psalms is Psalm 23. Much time could be spent digging into each of the verses, as they all hold valuable truths. But take a closer look at verses 3 and 4. David says that God leads us in the paths of righteousness (verse 3). Then he also says that we walk through the valley of the shadow of death (verse 4). While these verses let us know that God is with us through it all, they also point out that the paths to righteousness indeed take us through valleys. In the midst of trials we often question God and even contemplate giving up. But we have to remember that a refining has to take place in order for us to become righteous. So count it all joy (James 1:2-3), and take heart in your troubles (II Corinthians 12:10). For there may not be an easy way out, but we can make it out because of the Way.