The Path

Psalm 18:36  You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.

This verse accompanied the "Jesus Always" reading a few mornings back where Sarah Young wrote, "This shows how intricately I am involved in your life journey.  I know exactly what is before you, and I can alter the path ahead of you to make your way easier."

So I asked, "How come it is sometimes so difficult?  How come so many trials, hardships, heartaches..."   I felt the answer rise up in my heart immediately.  Jesus said, "Things happen, yet the path is still there.  Much like Peter walking on the water, the storm and waves raged around him, yet he still had a pathway through them that brought him to where I was waiting.  The thing is to keep your focus on Me---I have cleared the path just fine no matter what it goes through.  Your attitude and trust level determine the ease or difficulty, the turmoil or the peace with which you walk the path.  The more you trust, the less difficult it will be to walk no matter the circumstances, the less lonely and rocky the road will feel.  Matthew 28:20  ...And be sure of this:  I am with you always, even to the end of the age.   Joshua 1:9  This is my command--be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

David and Paul come to mind.  What difficult paths these men walked.  David was anointed to be king when he barely reached manhood.  1 Samuel 16:12-13  So Jesse sent for him.  he was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.  And the Lord said, "This is the one; anoint him."  So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil.  And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.  Then Samuel returned to Ramah.  After many high points, David success caused Saul to become jealous and he spent years upon years running in the wilderness from Saul before he finally reached the throne God had waiting for him  David walked a very convoluted and trial ridden path with many twists, turns and heartaches.  Yet he stayed obedient, even to the point of not killing the man who hunted him.  1 Samuel 24:5-7  But then David's conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul's robe.  "The Lord knows I shouldn't have done that to my lord the king," he said to his men.  "The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king and attack the Lord's anointed one, for the Lord Himself has chosen him."  So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul.  The path God chooses for us requires submission even when it seems unfair, even when others disagree and urge us another way. 

Paul, oh my, poor Paul!  Starting with the Damascus road where Jesus knocked him off his horse and blinded him, to the beatings, stonings, imprisonments, lashings, shipwrecks....all for the sake of the Gospel, his path was anything but care-free and smooth!  2 Corinthians 11:25  ...I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.  Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty nine lashes.  Three times I was beaten with rods.  Once I was stoned.  Three times I was shipwrecked.  Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea....On and on it goes for Paul.  Yet he was considered one of God's greatest evangelist and workers. 

Like those who have gone before us, the paths are not easy, but with Jesus they are sure.  God's purpose will be fulfilled and we never walk alone.  Sometimes He sends a friend to walk beside us, other times it's just us and Him, but it is always with purpose even when we don't understand.  And for me one of the most difficult things is thinking that my difficulties are meaningless...but I think we have to remember Romans 8:28  And we know that  God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.  There is good purpose in everything that our Father allows into our lives.  He weaves all of our darkest steps and brightest moments into His beautiful plan like the master artist He is.  And keeping our focus on Him and our trust in His love and wisdom sure, we will come out to a place of amazing victory, bringing glory to our Savior. 

Lord, the paths we walk are not always easy.  They are often shrouded in mist and darkness, the road feels unsure and unstable under our feet.  Our strength fails and faith fumbles....but even in all that You never leave us nor forsake us.  The path is always there, as are You.  I ask You to help us to strengthen the feeble knees and weary hearts and turn our eyes towards You.  Lord, the way is often hard, but You never promised us ease in this world, only that You would work things our for our benefit, and would never leave us alone.  Thank You for those facts.  Thank You that we can hang onto them like a drowning many a life preserver.  Trusting You, Your goodness, Your wisdom and Your love will keep us going forward, even when our steps are unsteady and stumbling.  Help us to keep our eyes on You stepping boldly with praise and thanksgiving on our lips, even as our hearts cry out to You.  It's amazing that we can do both at the same time, but I know You understand us.  Lord, life hurts.  Please comfort each of us on this journey you have for us.  And thank You for never leaving our side and for working in ways which we don't always see clearly, if at all.  Remind us that You are working and not ignoring nor idle.  Bring to mind and help us to hang onto Your promises.  In Jesus Name.  Amen. 

Find your flashlight in God's Word!  It will be your guide in this darkened world. 

A quote I just read and fell in love with:  "A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for."  William G. T. Shedd 

We are not meant to be safe.