The Way We Should Go

When we are driving on a long trip, my wife acts as the navigator. He is adept at finding and following GPS directions. When we need refreshment and fuel along the way, she can easily find appropriate accomodations. I am confident that she will lead us in the right ways.

Isaiah 30:20-21 says, “And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” God has given His Holy Spirit to those who trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. He is our Teacher, but unlike other teachers, we do not have to find Him or wait for Him. The Holy Spirit resides within the believer and teaches us what we should do and directs us in the way we should go.

Long Trip

Currently, we are traveling to another part of the country. While we can see beauty along the way, the driving can still be tedious, testing our patience. Traveling takes time and effort, with many people taking actions that delay us and even endangers us. Endurance is a constant struggle and we must draw upon strength to continue.

Colossians 1:10-11 says, “so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” Walking with God and pleasing Him is not a sprint race, but rather a marathon. We need the power that He provides in order to faithfully endure moment by moment. Through this power and endurance we will bear fruit and know Him better.

Firmly Planted

As I hike through the beautiful forests in our area, I am awestruck at the majesty of the trees. They are clothed in an array of amazing colors and stand firmly planted. They point heavenward, glorifying the one who created them and who gives them life.

Isaiah 61:3 says, “to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.” As God’s anointed King, Jesus Christ gives royal crowns of life instead of death’s ashes to those who trust Him. Jesus wraps His children in robes of His righteousness that we may stand firmly planted and glorify Him.

Hopelessness

Homelessness is a human tragedy that affects the body, soul, and spirit of people. The homeless person is often caught in a cycle of discouragement and fear. Hopelessness is also a human tragedy that adversely affects the body, soul, and spirit. The hopeless person is also caught in a cycle of discouragement and fear.

I Peter 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” It is God’s mercy that gives us hope. His mercy is confirmed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ and activates our hope moment by moment.

Good As His Word

When I was young, my father would make many promises to me that he would later be unable to keep. We all can make promises that future circumstances prevent us from keeping. When we fail to keep our promises, however, trust is broken and it is difficult to earn that trust back again.

Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” God has given us many great and true promises. In giving these promises, God did not lie and He will not change His mind, but rather He will fulfill each one.