Sunday June 18, 2023
Pathfinder
How can a man understand his own way? The answer is, he can’t. And that is a truth most Christians find very troubling. The fact that we do not know what tomorrow may bring or where it might take us can be a source of fear and trepidation. Or, it can be a source of peace and security. It really is a simple matter of the path we choose and the Path-Maker we trust.
The Bible says that “the mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Pro.16:9 NKJV). How does He do that? How do we find the right way and follow the footsteps of God? What is the right way?
The answer to these questions might surprise you. We actually have but a small role in this journey of faith. You see, there is a destiny–that is, a divine plan for our lives. God has ordained a path for each one of us…carefully and lovingly leading us to victorious living. Paul reminds us to “Thank God who always leads us in triumph in Christ” (2 Cor.2:14). Our only responsibility it to follow the Leader!
The word for “lead” is thriambeuō (three-am-byoo’-o). I love this word! It creates such a great picture for us. It means, “to make a noisy acclamatory procession, that is, to conquer or to give victory.” In other words, Jesus is making such a show of the way we are to go that He promises that we can’t miss it! And, it’s a path to victory! Praise God!
It is His sovereign purpose and plan to set the course for us. It is His great and mighty power that protects our way. It is His great love that leads the way. Now we can understand why Jesus proclaims Himself as the Way (Jn.14:6). Hear His heart in these verses:
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. (Ps.40:2 NASB)
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. (Ps.37:23 NKJV)
(Notice, it is God who delights in my way!)
He will guard the feet of His saints, but the wicked shall be silent in darkness. For by strength no man shall prevail. (1 Sam.2:9 NKJV)
Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, who keeps our soul among the living, and does not allow our feet to slip. (Ps.66:8-9 NASB)
Not only does God show us the path, but He also promises to keep our feet firm, steadied, and secure on path. This is how truly good God is to those He calls His own.
If the path is established how do we follow? What is our road map? His Word, of course! The psalmist prays this simple yet powerful prayer for guidance: “Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.” (Ps.119:133 NKJV). His every Word is the Lamp on our feet and the Light that illuminates the path (Ps.119:105). (See WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of dominion)
Here’s another thought…if the Lord has ordained our ways and established our footsteps, then we can be confident that the provision we need for our journey is found in each and every footstep. If the path leads us to a certain place, the Lord will provide all we need for that place. All we will ever need is in the ordained steps of our merciful, gracious Savior. Are we ready to be a pathfinder?
