Who Directs Your Path?

We like to plan our future.  We like to plan ahead the day.  And when we make decisions, we want to make them according to our plans.  But what about the One who created us?  What does He want us to do?



Twice in the book of Proverbs does is say, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."  Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25

So, if that wasn't the case, why would he tell us twice?  We need to get it in our heads that one way is death, the other life.  The footnote in my study Bible sent me to Matthew 7:13,14.  This is the end of the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus is distinguishing the line between destruction and life.  Which meant, if you didn't follow Him, you would be sent to destruction.  He emphasized that we needed to choose life, choose Him.

These verses in Proverbs are indicating that exact thing.  Solomon, in this case, was telling us that we, as man, will see things that seem right but will eventually lead man to death.  So, we need to be wise and choose the right path.

But choosing the right path isn't easy.  Even Jesus said it wouldn't be easy in Matthew 7:14, "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

It is important to remember that although life is difficult and we want to take the easy way out, we can't.  We have to take the right path.  That is the most important fact.

So, how do we figure out this right path and avoid death and destruction?  We pray.  I know I've quoted these verses a lot, but it's so important that we learn it.

Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

Acknowledge God and trust that He will take you where you need to go.  Like Jesus said, it won't be easy.  Life isn't easy, but God knows what He's doing.  We have to trust in Him. Trust that He knows our future, and He knows how it all ends.  He knows what is, and will, be best for us.

Proverbs 16:1 says, "The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord."

Everyone is subject to God's will and way, no matter how much planning we, man, put into it.  Have you ever thought that life wasn't going like you wanted it to?  That nothing was going according to plan?  I have.  I've been there, many times!  I knew that God had a plan for me, but I didn't want to wait for it.  And, I wanted it to be what I wanted, not what God wanted.  I was wrong.  I was heading down the path of destruction.

One day, after praying about something that I thought was going in the wrong direction, God revealed to me something that I would have never had if I had gone down the path I wanted to go down.  I wouldn't have been able to freely worship God if I had gotten my way.

I thought about that, and immediately, I thanked God for stopping that path.  Because, I didn't want a life where I couldn't praise my King freely.  He gave me life.  He gave me everything.  Why should I NOT trust Him when He directs my path in a different way?  I didn't have an answer.  Because God has my answer.  He knows exactly what will happen and when it will happen and how it will happen.  That should be good enough for me.  That should be good enough for all of us.  It's just that we aren't taking the "me, me, me" out of GOD's plan for us.

"A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:7

Who directs your path?  You or the Lord? 

"Wait on the Lord" A Lesson from David

I'm not a patient person.  I've never really been willing to wait on the things I've wanted most in my life, but life isn't always about immediate gratification.  That usually never makes us "happy" for long.

A few months ago, probably closer to half a year by now, God gave me a Word - Shalom, in this instance, meaning "order."  He told me that He was going to put my life in order.

It was a lovely Word.  A Word I needed to hear.  Things started looking up for me then.  Great things began to happen for me, and I couldn't have been happier.  But, about a month ago, things started falling apart in my eyes.  I know God has a plan, but I couldn't see it amidst the turmoil and sadness in my heart. 

God hasn't taken back His Word.  This I know.  But it doesn't mean I'm good at waiting on my Shalom. 

Whenever, I feel down, I turn to Psalms.  The authors always make me feel better with their words.  One verse in particular in the whole of Psalms has stuck with me. 

This particular Psalm is from David - a man after God's own heart.  According to the MacArthur Study Bible I own, it says in Psalm 27, David "engages in 3 conversations which help him balance the ups and downs of real life."

The truth is no matter the promises of God we will still have ups and downs in life.  And we have to learn how to persevere in this life.  It isn't easy - by no means.  But that doesn't mean God has forsaken us.  Quite the contrary actually.  God is more present than ever.  He hasn't moved.  We have.

In Psalm 31:1 David said, "In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness."  And then in verse 24 he says, "Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who Hope in the Lord."

Over in Psalm 37:4 David says, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, And he shall give you the desires of your heart."

It doesn't say may it says shall! God will give us what our heart desires!  We just have to "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7)

In Psalm 40: 1 David says, "I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry."

Wait patiently for the Lord.  It's tough to though.  I know from experience.  But NEVER give up on what it is you're waiting for.  God promises us that HE will give us the desires of our heart.  And He will!

Patience may not be one of our virtues, but it's something that will help us in the long run.  He will "hear our cry" no matter what it is, but God WILL comfort us and help us.  He will "strengthen our hearts."  Wait for the Lord!  All good things come in HIS TIME.  NOT OURS!