Charlyne Cares Daily Devotional - Helping Stop Divorce God's Way

 

Show Me the Way!

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5

 As Charlyne prepares to take flight to Tulsa to speak at the Covenant Keepers conference, I'm sure that Bob has been online mapping out her route, scheduling connections and making sure she gets to where she needs to be. For those of us who are directionally challenged, having our path mapped out for us ahead of time is a big plus. It helps us travel steadily and avoid wrong roads or detours.

As we walk this narrow road called standing, things aren't always so clear. Circumstances happen and decisions are made that sometimes put us on the wrong path. Confusion and chaos often leave us second-guessing ourselves and we end up on a road we were never meant to take. It can take a long time to find our way again.

What path are you on today? Have you taken a detour? Have circumstances led you away from the road the Lord has laid out for you? Has worldly opinion made you rethink your direction? Has the path become too narrow or the obstacles too big? Are you simply too tired to put one foot in front of the other?

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:25-27

"Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path." Proverbs 23:19

Don't you wish there were flashing neon signs along the road that would point you in the right direction? Or billboards saying, "Yes, this is the way?" Or a policeman at every intersection telling you which lane to take and when to turn? Or a piece of paper in your hand from MapQuest marking a clear path to your destination?

The enemy would like nothing better than to get you on a detour road and headed in the wrong direction. He'll throw up roadblocks, send confusing signals, and make other roads so inviting they seem irresistible. It isn't easy to walk this path. God knows that. That is why He has given us His Word to light our way.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Although this piece of scripture talks about straight paths, sometimes our walk takes us in new directions that have us questioning whether we are really hearing from God. It doesn't appear to be the shortest path to our destination. But often these circuitous routes are God's way of taking us around obstacles that He knows we are not yet ready to face. Listen to what He did for the Israelites as He led them out of Egypt to the Promised Land.

"When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.' So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea." Exodus 13:17-18a

God took the Israelites the long way through the desert. He knew His people's hearts and minds. He knew they were not yet ready to face war with the Philistines. So he led them through the desert toward the Red Sea. And we all know what the Great Way- Maker did there.

"Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen." Psalm 77:19

Maybe your heart has you questioning if this is the right road. That's especially easy to fall prey to when we dwell in the valley, seeing only the mountains ahead, how big they are, and wondering how we will ever make it through them or around them. But maybe we need to take a look behind us and see all the mountains we have already made it through or around with Jesus walking beside us. The Lord who has led us this far will continue His good work in us and in the ones we pray for. We may be walking in the valley right now, but He promises that He will be with us as we start for that mountain. Our job is to keep walking and trusting. If we do our part, the Lord promises to do His.

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." Psalm 119:32

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Psalm 143:8-10

God bless you,
Kim, standing in Nebraska
http://rejoiceministries.org/kim.html  

Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
Post Office Box 10548
Pompano Beach, FL 33061 USA
http://rejoiceministries.org   

Devotional Copyright© 2010 Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.

Scripture quoted by permission and are from the Holy Bible; New International Version® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.