Deuteronomy 31:6
(excerpt from Morning Meditations by Martin Wiles)
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The LORD your God will go ahead of you. (NLT)
“Where are we? I hope that thing knows where it’s taking us.” I remember making the statement while on a day trip with our daughter to a nearby zoo.
The first two roads were familiar. Then the voice instructed us to turn left onto an unfamiliar venue. We quickly encountered a sign that read “End State Maintenance.” The impending course was only one step above a dirt road. But I trusted the voice and kept going. Sure enough, a few more turns and we arrived at our destination.
GPS. Global Positioning System. First used by the military to determine exact location in open waters, it is now available to civilians. Many newer model vehicles come with the system as a standard feature. Enter the desired address and a voice will tell you which turns are required to arrive at your destination. A technological marvel that I’ve avoided due to internet capacity on my cell phone. I also don’t like voices emanating from an impersonal machine.
Moses’ stint as Israel’s leader is almost over. Joshua has been selected as his successor. Once again, the Israelites are on the verge of entering their Promised Land. Not wanting them to make the same mistake they did forty years previously-and to give him courage, God reminds Joshua of His presence. He would go ahead of the Israelites and give them direction.
Back when maps and intuition were the only things available, I made many wrong turns. I usually found my way out, but there were instances when I got lost. Occasionally, I had to stop and ask for directions. Those days are gone. But the need for spiritual direction from God will never be replaced by GPS, MapQuest or any other directional device.
God wants to direct our daily decisions and our life courses, and He will if we allow Him. Wrong turns only occur when we try to live life on our own without His input. Even then-when we get lost, God will lovingly guide us out of our self-imposed messes if we simply ask. Don’t be afraid to request directions from your heavenly Guide. His roads are always best even when they appear rough, soiled and unmaintained.
Prayer: Father, when life’s course is blurry, prompt me to consult Your guidebook for clear direction.
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