Pointing the Way or Providing It?

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

Psalm 37:23 NKJV

When people give directions, I get a mental picture of them standing and pointing in the right direction. And it dawned on me tonight that I tend to think of the Lord doing exactly that same thing while He's directing my path. That is until I read this particular verse in the Amplified Bible. It reads differently.

The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord, and He delights in his way [and blesses his path].

Think about that for a minute. Pointing the way to go is one thing. Establishing my steps is a whole 'nother story (Texan for completely different)! God may be pointing me down a rough path, one with twists and turns, steep hills and lots of obstacles. My first inclination would be to find a go-around. How in the world will I walk that path?!? How? The only way possible - with Him.

His Word tells us in Isaiah 45:2 that He goes before us and makes the crooked places straight, levels the uneven places, flattens the mountains and hills. Not only that but according to our Promise for Today, HE ESTABLISHES our steps. He's right there to make certain that our steps are sure. The next verse (Psalm 37:24) promises that even if we fall, the Lord holds our hand and we won't be utterly cast down.

If God is pointing you to it, trust Him. His Word promises there is nowhere we can go that He isn't already there (Psalm 139:8-12). And truthfully, wouldn't we rather be on a rough road WITH God than a smooth road WITHOUT Him?

Prayer:

Father,
           Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen