This is the way, walk in it...

“Your ears shall hear a word  behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21)
    Last week I briefly touched on the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land. In spite of challenges faced, they kept moving. However, one interesting thing comes to mind. After finally being released by the Egyptians, they were on their way to where God had promised would be theirs. However, God directed them to take a route that even Pharaoh could tell would be difficult for them (Exodus 14:1-3). This route led them to the Red Sea. At this large body of water, Pharaoh, who changed his mind about releasing them and decided to pursue them, met up with them. Immediately, the Israelites cried out in fear. The Egyptians were behind them and the Red Sea in front of them. They could not alternatively pass any other way. They were indeed trapped. Yet, they had not led themselves there … that was all God (Exodus 14).
    Have there been times in your life when you were sure that God had spoken, you were sure that God had directed you to go down a particular path and when you obeyed you began to wonder if maybe it was a mistake? Maybe you didn’t hear God correctly? In short, at the start of your journey, just like the Israelites I am sure, you felt confident even marched forward in eager anticipation of what lay ahead because you knew that you knew that you were following God’s leading. But then, along the way, the bumps started to appear - and were very annoying. Holes, ditches and pitfalls that you did not anticipate began to present themselves. Suddenly, you begin to question your journey, you begin to question God. The excitement is replaced with discouragement, fear, even anger. This is not what you had signed up for! Yet, God is still saying to you: “This is the way, walk in it.” 
    Never doubt that God knows exactly what He is doing. His plans for you are still to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). So, even though you may be walking through that valley of the shadow of death, and you know that God has guided you there, it means that He has a purpose for that valley. He has a purpose for guiding you down that difficult path. God never does things by accident. We are TOO precious to Him for Him to make mistakes with us! Whatever that difficult path or valley may be, God wants to bring good out of it for you. Maybe at the end of the day, out of all the lessons He can teach you through it, He wants most of all for you to learn to TRUST Him! It is easy to trust Him when the road is easy. It’s not so easy when the road is difficult. 
    The children of Israel left Egypt with boldness and confidence because their God had delivered them. That boldness turned to fear and  complaining when they realised they were trapped between the Egyptians and the Red Sea. When things are easy we should trust God. When things become difficult along the journey, we should trust God MORE! Our trust should not decrease but increase. Now is when we realise we have to lean on Him a lot more; hold on to His Word and promises as if our life depended on it; trust Him even more to be the One to get us safely to our destination. It is still not about us or up to us. It’s all about HIM!!!
    As I go through my own valleys and challenges, God is helping me to learn to trust Him more and lean on Him heavily when I need to. I can guarantee you, I am learning to lean on Him and hold on to His Word as if my very life depended on it … because it does!!! Trust His path, trust His leading. He will never lead you off course. He will always get you safely to where you need to be. God is still in control.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I urge you to do so now. Life’s journey can be a very difficult one at times and we need all the help and guidance we can get. Trust God to fulfil His plan and purpose for you. Trust Him to move through life’s journey with you and to get you safely to your promised destination.​

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