October 29, 2003
Reading: Psalm 107:1-22

 

“And He led them forth by the right way” (7)

 

It doesn’t matter which journey you take or what your destination is, there are only two ways to get there, the right way and the wrong way. I remember as a child going with my mother and father into the woods in southern England, we were picking wild primroses and bluebells. We approached a fork in the forest path and Dad automatically took the path to the left. There were no signposts directing us to different locations, so I asked him how he knew which path to follow? His simple reply was, “I’ve been this way before!” I was not worried because I trusted him and knew we would not get lost.

The Children of Israel were in unknown territory and they were all alone. “They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way” (4). Neither Moses, Aaron or Joshua had ever traversed this land before--they had no one to lead them. Then they did the smart thing, “they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses” (6).

Now remember, this was after they had been delivered from the Egyptians and God had split the waters of the Red Sea so they could escape. As Christians we do not automatically know the right path or direction God has for our lives. Myriads of times we face a fork in the road and decisions have to be made, some of which will be life-changing experiences. Instead of worrying about the decision we have to make we learn to ask the Lord. We don’t expect to hear a booming voice saying, “This is the way, walk in it” (Is: 30:21), but just as clearly the Holy Spirit will direct our paths. He will open and close doors; He will show us in a verse of scripture or by the confirmation of another person. He may confirm it to our hearts as we pray about it, a picture may develop in our mind or a definite impression will lay heavy on our heart. One thing is for sure, when He shows us the correct choice and we accept it in faith, the peace of God will confirm it to our soul.

This nation of over two million people with all of their cattle were seeking a city where they could settle down, but there was not such a place in the wilderness, “they found no city to dwell in” (4). When they cried to the Lord:

1)     He heard their cry

2)     He delivered them

3)     He led them by the right way.

He turned the wilderness into pools of water and the dry ground into watersprings (35). Why? “That they may establish a city for a dwelling place” (36). God doesn’t just hand us things on a platter, at least not very often! He gives us the tools and circumstances to “establish a city.” When we follow the leading of the Lord, we will always find He has provided the means to fulfill His will. Look at the blessings that follow those who follow Him (36-38).

Those who follow their own way, no matter how great their position may be in this world, will find themselves constantly wandering in the wilderness. “He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way” (40).

Did Jesus not say, “I am the way, the truth and the life”? God has always provided the “right way” for the righteous be it in a cloud and fire or in the Person of His Son through the Holy Spirit. “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; …and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13).