God teaches us His way

A path to look back on

Sometimes it’s really helpful to look back in life. We should remember the guidance and faithfulness of God that we’ve already experienced along the way.

God Himself asks His people to do this in Deuteronomy 8 and says: "And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you" (Deut. 8:2).

The Lord guided them on their way through the terrible wilderness, which was teeming with snakes and scorpions. He faithfully cared for them all the way. He helped them through.

Moses reminded the people of this, saying, "in the wilderness, where you have seen how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place" (Deut. 1:31).

So every now and then, look back and reflect on what you have already experienced with the Lord!

God teaches us His way

Another important point is that God wants to teach us His way. That’s why He says in Psalm 32:8: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you" (Ps. 32:8).

He wants to guide us, direct us and lead us in His way. If we trustingly look upwards, have fellowship with God and are in eye contact with Him - so to speak - then He will give us direction.

In the prophet Isaiah, the Lord gives a similar promise that we can also apply to ourselves: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go" (Is. 48:17).

It’s wonderful to grasp that in faith. God has a deep interest in each of us. That’s why He wants to teach us His way and guide us on His path.

That’s God's side of the coin. Our side is that we should sincerely ask to actually walk in God's way - and no other.

David prayed for this again and again. He wanted God to show him the right way - the way according to God's thoughts. That’s why he prayed: "Teach me your way, O LORD” (Ps. 27:11).

Moses had the same desire and prayed: "Show me now your ways" (Ex. 33:13). God answered that prayer! And He’ll do the same for us if we pray - without bias - for God to let us know His way!

And how does He normally do that? Through His Word. When we read the Bible prayerfully, God gives us guidance and direction through it. That’s why Psalm 119 also says: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps. 119:105).

It’s important that we live in the fear of God and sincerely desire to do His will. That’s the best prerequisite for the Lord to guide us without any problems.

David aptly said, "Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose" (Ps. 25:12).

And even if we stray from the path - because we’ve made a mistake or have been careless - we should know that God always means well with us. If such is the case, He wants to bring us back on His good path.

We humans are often cold and impatient. But God is long-suffering and kind. That’s why in the prophet Isaiah it’s said: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left" (Is. 30:21).

J.P.S.

Article series: God has a way for you