Follow Directions

Happy new year!  God is good. The Lord says in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland”.  God has plans for us this year my friend and he will make a way if we let him. He’s given us a roadmap to follow in His word, but it’s up to us to follow the word so we can receive the new thing the Lord has for us.

For the last few weeks, I’ve been studying the book of Joshua.  God called Joshua to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land.  He also cautioned him to follow the law that his predecessor Moses gave to Him which is a nutshell was to love the Lord God, walk in obedience to God, keep his commandments, hold fast to him and serve God with all of His heart (Joshua 1:7, 22:5).  Joshua was a good servant. He followed these commands and therefore God gave him and the nation of Israel he was leading victory. We all want to be the victor, but are we following the directions found in God’s word?

Recently, I set out to make homemade shrimp fried rice using jasmine rice.   I’ve cooked rice plenty of times before so I opened the package measured the rice and water, added the butter and salt and placed it on the stove to boil.  Only after I did this, did I look at the directions. I realized I had done it wrong. When cooking jasmine rice (this rice anyway), the measurements were different. I had put the wrong amount of water in the rice.  Too much! Some of the water had already soaked into the rice. I tried to take a portion out, but it was a lost cause as I wanted to ensure the rice was prepared properly, so I ended up pouring out the water and dumping the rice.  I started all over again and followed the directions this time. I got it right the second time as the rice just right after tasting.

God used this cooking experience to teach me a valuable lesson.  I too often lean on my own understanding and past experience on matters. The word says to in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your path straight”.  After I’ve leaned on my understanding of a thing, I then go back and look at the directions in his word and make the corrections. However, in real life, this results in painful experiences and God has to come in and save me after I realize my error. There is a saying in the church that says, “God won’t bless your mess!”  This is true. He’ll give you grace, but eventually your poor decisions, even with good intent will catch up to you. God will humble you, love and correct you before you’re able to restart. He has a plan for the end result to be a blessing, but only if you follow the directions clearly outlined in his word.

Thank God for his love and saving grace!  I made a few mistakes in the past year or twp and you may have as well.  Just remember God is faithful to those who love him and he will rescue his sheep and redirect your path.  This is why God is doing a new thing in my life. Will you join me and allow him to do a new thing in your life this year as well?  What are the things God has been telling you are not quite right? Are there relationships that need to end or be repaired? Ask God to examine your heart and reveal to you any corrections that need to be made so you too can begin 2020 on your journey to the new things God has for you!