“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the ROCK except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” Psalm 18: 3-32
The great news is God makes your way perfect. The not-so-great news is you don’t get to define “perfect” and neither do I.
We all love life when the path before us is free and easy. Think of the days you’re lovin’ life and your spirit is soaring and everything is as it should be. The more days like that the better, I say.
Aaahhh – but those days are never guaranteed and history and human nature have proven that easy street is a dangerous place. In the perfect world, Adam and Eve fell to Satan’s deception. King David was at the top of his game leading Israel as a dominant nation when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and ordered her husband killed, triggering great destruction and torment all the way around. King Solomon, the wisest man other than Jesus to ever live, had power, wealth and fame; yet his love for pagan women and their idolatrous ways led to his downfall.
Easy street dulls our dependence on God. We are so prone to self-sufficiency.
A favorite line in a piece titled “Wait” comes to mind in which God says, “You’d have what you want but you wouldn’t know me.” Above all else our very personal God wants an intimate relationship with each and every one of us. Isn’t it true that we are more likely to seek Him out when the road gets rocky? How would we ever get to intimately know the Great Comforter if we never needed comfort?
In addition to comfort, God also provides guidance along the everyday path. Especially when heavy rocks block our path and detours dash our original plans. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
He’ll guide you step-by-step and illuminate the path to take. The Conley 4 have a summer tradition of camping in a genuine stage-coach on the Rock Ranch in Rock, GA. In the dark of night it’s just me and the flashlight ever so slowly finding the safest path to the outhouse. The circle of light only illuminates my next step. That’s all I get to see. Sometimes God illuminates multiple steps at once but much more often He reveals just one step at a time. Brilliant on His part because this means we have to frequently check back in with Him for further instruction.
How do you get this great Divine guidance deep in your spirit? Choose to put God continually before you.
Slow down. Seek Him. Follow Him. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways remember Him and He will make your path straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 “I will praise the Lord who counsels me. I have set the Lord always before me. I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16: 7-8
He chose you before the foundation of the world to walk with Him along a path designed uniquely for you. Stay in step with Him. Not all that you encounter will be good but God promised to work it all for good. As you walk in His ways you will discover an assurance that all is well and a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Surrender your path to One far greater and more powerful. You will never be misled.
