I have been digging into Psalms this month and there has been a recurring theme: Paths. This brings me to think of walking, journeying, traveling, climbing, and moving forward. God wants to make our paths straight, level, and help us to walk. God's Word says:
Psalm 25:10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
Psalm 26:11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity, redeem me and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground in the assembly. I will bless the Lord.
Psalm 27:11 Teach me Your Way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
Pslam 27:14 Wait for the Lord, be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord. (Not about a path but a great verse which spoke to me.)
As I ponder these verses I think of the many things that can get us off of the path - the journey that God has for us, the one He is orchestrating all the time to make us more like Jesus. Of course, we don't think of veering off the path on purpose. Our "enemies" come and distract us or push us around or keep us from focusing on the cross and the gospel of Jesus. We are somtimes deceived or lead astray or just determine for ourselves to not stay on the path.
One cool thing I am learning is that while we can make choices, God loves us so much that He puts the desire in us to make the correct choices. He provides the path, the choice, and the will to stay on the path. I am experiencing that His Word is the road map (or path map) I need every day. Again we see in Psalms 119:105: "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."(In fact, if you haven't read Psalm 119 lately, it is a great read and full of "path" and "walking" passages).
God provides a lamp - it only illumines a small space at a time - so we can come to Him daily and let Him lead our steps. He doesn't want to just give directions, He wants to climb in the car with us and tell us where to go. He wants to be personally involved every day with every step. If He gave me a lighthouse light, I would be proned to walk by myself for a great distance - surely getting off the path or encountering a rocky or hilly path that is not level. How difficult it must be to face enemies on a path that is not level! How insecure and unsure one's footing would be.
Everyone is on a journey. Everyone has a path to becoming more like Jesus or just staying the way we are. We make choices everyday that affect our path and our journey. We take a scenic route sometimes but as long as we are yielded to Him, "trust in Him and lean not on our own understanding, He will direct our paths (make our paths straight)." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
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