Lean on, trust in, and be confident
in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own
insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will
direct and make straight and plain your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP).
The Bible tells us
that God is our Father and as His children He cares for us all. He is our God
collectively and He is also our God individually. God has a specific place and
purpose for each member of His family and He wants to guide each life according
to His will and plan. This is why it is important for us to look to Him, seek
Him, acknowledge Him, be led by Him, and trust in Him to direct our steps.
A few years ago I
wrote The Pathway. Its purpose is to help illustrate the importance
of trusting God to lead us and to follow the path He has prepared for us. I am
including The Pathway in my posting today.
One day a follower of
the Lord knelt before his Father in heaven. With a prayer on his lips, peace in
his spirit, and faith in his heart, he gazed into his Father’s eyes.
He noticed that the
Lord’s eyes were clear and brilliant, and sharply focused. The follower turned
in the direction that the Lord’s eyes were focused.
Looking out he saw a
pathway. The pathway was only visible for a few hundred yards and faded from
view behind a small hill.
The follower also
noticed other pathways close by. Each of the other pathways were only visible
for a short distance as they turned either to the right or left. It was at this
time that the Lord spoke to the follower.
“The pathway that you
see My eyes focused upon is the pathway that I have chosen for you to follow.
Walk upon it with confidence, trust, and courage.
It is a prepared
pathway and will perfectly lead you into the plans I have for your life. If you
ever wonder where the pathway is taking you, simply look down and you will
notice My footsteps ahead of you and behind you.
As
you walk you will notice other pathways close to yours. Some pathways may get
your attention, and draw your interest and curiosity. They are the pathways
that I have chosen for others.
You
may be attracted to these other pathways because of the flowers that border
them, the trees that shade them, or the direction in which they are heading.
What
you don’t see is the depth of the valleys, and the steepness of the mountains
through which these pathways wind.
Those
whom I have called to travel these other pathways will have My grace for the
journey. It is my perfect plan for them.
I
do not want you to waste your time imagining what it might be like traveling
down someone else’s pathway.
If
you did travel one of them you would not have My grace upon you, and the
valleys and hills would be a burden to you and create a weariness within you.
The time and energy I
give you will always be enough for each day’s travel, and you will find My
resting places along the way.
Give yourself
completely to the pathway upon which My eyes are focused. As you do, continue to
look upon My face, for My smile will be upon you.
And never forget that
everything is significant and is working together for the good that I have
planned for you.
I know where the
pathway is taking you. I have already traveled it, and believe Me when I say
that you could never imagine the incredible things that await you.”
When you follow God’s
path for your life you never walk alone.
…
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy
presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore
(Psalm 16:11 KJV).
My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from
following you (Psalm 17:5).
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake (Psalm 23:3 KJV).
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths (Psalm
25:4 KJV).
All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and
faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies (Psalm
25:10 ESV).
Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me (Psalm
27:11 NLT).
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard
pathways overflow with abundance (Psalm 65:11 NLT).
Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is
where my happiness is found (Psalm 119:35 NLT).
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto
my path (Psalm 119:105 KJV).
He keepeth the paths of judgment, and
preserveth the way of his saints.
Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and
judgment, and equity; yea, every good path (Proverbs 2:8-9 KJV).
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and
lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he
shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the
man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the
merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more
precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be
compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand
riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
peace. (Proverbs 3:13-17 KJV).
I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along
straight paths (Proverbs 4:11 NIV).
The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
which shines ever brighter until the full light of day (Proverbs
4:18 NLT).
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy
ways be established (Proverbs 4:26 KJV).
In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway
there is no death (Proverbs
12:28 ESV).
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and
let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and
he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion
shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3 KJV).
I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will
lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them,
And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them
(Isaiah 42:16).
Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask
for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for
your souls… (Jeremiah 6:16 ESV).
Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the
mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his
ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the
word of the LORD from Jerusalem (Micah 4:2).
Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are
weak and lame will not fall but become strong (Hebrews 12:13 NLT).
#thepathway #devotion #scripture #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow
©2024 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.