Ponder: Do you ask for directions?
Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6, NKJV)/
We of the male persuasion are frequently criticized for being unwilling to ask for directions. I’ll plead the fifth amendment (smile when you say that)!
In all fairness, asking for directions doesn’t always turn out well. I’ve asked for directions only to end up far from the location I wanted. Even GPS can leave you in the middle of nowhere! So, the wisdom of asking for directions depends on who or what you ask.
How about asking God for directions? He is infinitely knowledgeable, good, and wise. In exhorting us to trust Him and follow His directions, Solomon made no distinction between male and female – all of us should trust God and obey Him.
The highway to Heaven is narrow and difficult (Matt. 7:13-14). It’s entirely too easy to stray from the right way. Fortunately, we have GPS (God’s Perfect Scriptures) to guide us through the twists and turns. But we must avoid the temptation to go on a different path when we find God’s directions objectionable.
Most people find something as basic as the way of salvation to be unacceptable. In particular they are likely to object to baptism being “for the remission of sins.” Similarly, many find the Lord’s directions for worship to be distasteful, especially when they discover that the New Testament commends only one instrument to accompany the singing of spiritual songs – not the harp, but the heart. You can continue this list indefinitely. As God said through Isaiah, His ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8-9).
May God help us to ask for His directions and follow them fully!
Hymn: “Trust and Obey”
Prayer: Infinitely wise Father, help us to seek Your direction through Your word and submit to it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
–Joe Slater
