ON THE RIGHT PATH?
Scripture tells us that, as new believers, we have “put on” Christ. Although this begins in our hearts when we’re born again, we must continually choose to “put on” Christ moment by moment throughout our lives. This is the process of sanctification.
“…put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:24
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:3b).
The Hebrew word translated “paths” means “a well-defined, well-worn trail.” That indicates again how stupid sheep are, because even when the trail is well laid out, they still need a shepherd. They are still inclined to wander away, no matter how obvious the path may be. The shepherd knows the trails. He has been there before, and the sheep trust him
We have to make countless decisions, day after day, which touch the lives of our children and our wives and husbands. We need wisdom. We need a shepherd. We need someone who knows the trails, someone whom we can trust.
We all need a decisive word from someone who knows the way, and the Lord knows the way. But the question arises–
“How can I discover His will for my life?”
May I suggest these steps?
First, submit wholeheartedly to the leadership of the shepherd. That is the basic attitude we must maintain. Unless we are willing to admit that we don’t know the way through the wilderness and submit to His leadership, we will never find the way.
The second thing we must do is to obey what we know now to be God’s will for us. Most of God’s will is already revealed in His Word. We have to begin by obeying the truth that we have.
But what about other areas of life where the Scriptures do not give specific information?
There we are led by the peace of God. As we spend time praying and waiting upon God, there comes a sense of peace, an inner conviction, about the correctness of a certain direction.
Father, You have promised to lead me in paths of righteousness. Help me to be willing to follow, even when I don’t understand. AMEN