Isaiah 50

Verse 10 of this passage starts out really positive. He draws the listeners attention to the two positive attributes of a life of faith; reverence toward the nature of God and obedience to his revealed word. The verse ends with the encouragement to keep trusting in God. But in between the focus on godly attributes and a persistent focus on God Isaiah describes the path believers will walk; darkness. The darkness will not only come from our own sinful tendencies. We are surrounded by free willed sinners and a world corrupted by that sin and collapsing in on itself.  All of these ugly truths make it clear that the world is darkness. And believers have to walk in that darkness. How can we remain true? Through reverence for the LORD, obedience to God's word, and trust in a very reliable king.
Stuart