Where does our walk take us?

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Scripture

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
(Psalms 1:1 NASB)
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
(Psalms 1:2 NASB)
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
(Psalms 1:3 NASB)

 

Observation


The Psalmist reminds us that God has prepared paths for us, if we simply choose to take those paths. There will always be those around us who will encourage us to go in a different direction. The wicked will be giving us counsel -- only we probably won't think that they are wicked. Instead we will believe that they are trying to give us wise, earthly advice. It will probably sound rather reasonable and logical to us, but if it is not God-directed, then what is it? Of course we think of those who are sinners -- those who are truly taking a path to destruction and most of us want to head off in a completely different direction and then we might run into scoffers. They taunt us and tease us about the decisions we've made. They make us second guess ourselves as we go along the path but we are invited into the Lord's path. To find this way we must be willing to meditate on him day and night -- and in doing so we will find incredible delight and joy. We will discover that his path is not that of this world but we will rise about that and be amazed by God and what he can do! And by planting ourselves in him -- we will be fed day and night by the waters of the Holy Spirit, leading, guiding and directing us into eternity.

 

Application


The hours flew by yesterday as we shared in the open-house at Moscow First Church of the Nazarene. Chuck and I reminisced about the years we had spent there and the people whose paths had in some way brought them to Jesus and to the church. There were many who were not there yesterday, because today they have found their eternal rest. But there were also those who weren't there because they have chosen to take different paths and no longer find their path leading them to Christ.

It doesn't matter where we live in this world or what we do, the call to follow God is the same! The temptations along the way are the same. The world is constantly calling out to believers to walk a path which may seem a bit easier, or is advertised as being more fun. But where does that walk take us? What is hidden behind the next hill? Do we know? Of course we don't, and that's the ploy of the enemy. He tries to get us to walk down a path that will lead to destruction because we can't see what's hidden behind the next curve. God doesn't work that way. He asks us to trust in him; to plant ourselves in him and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us, and feed us on a daily basis. Then, we will walk the paths that he has prepared for us and even when life throws things at us, he will be with us, helping us and leading us.

It's Sunday morning -- where will your walk take you today?

 

Prayer


Lord, I pray for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit as we worship today. May you come here -- and around the world. We desperately need you to draw people back to the path which they have chosen to leave. Amen.

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