Blog Archive

Monday, December 28, 2009

Day Eleven: Way (path)

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

"Life is not a journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving safely ...
but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
'WOW! What a Ride!' "
Bill McKenna



Day Eleven: Way (path)
derek: masc noun, a road; a course of life; path, journey, way
from darak: verb, to tread; to walk; to press something with one's feet

Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.
~ Psalms 119:37 (NKJV)

O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
~ Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
~ John 14:6 (NKJV)


Yesterday's 'orach is the Hebrew word for 'way' with a slight emphasis on manner. Today's derek comes from a verb for treading, and refers to the beaten path.

In the study of the way God puts before us, I cannot help but think of the melding of God's sovereignty and man's free will. God lays out a path. We have the choice of whether or not to take it. There may be times when our choice to take another path leads to great loss, as when King Saul's disobedience cost him the monarchy.

There are other times when the Lord may step in, and compel obedience by unpleasant methods, as He did when He sent Jonah to Ninevah. Arriving onshore as fish vomit does have a persuasive affect on human will. And the disobedience of man does not frustrate the sovereignty of God.

But how much better to walk in God's perfect will, and choose His way immediately. Abraham left his homeland and chose a path to a land of covenant. Paul had planned to turn to eastern lands, but obeyed the Spirit's directing him west with the Gospel, and thus the church took root in Europe rather than Asia. Jesus is The Way to the Father, and walked a path to Calvary—that was not His will—to give us life.

What is the way the Lord puts before you? Are there worthless things down another path which look more appealing? Will you trust His way to be His very best for you?

Father, please forgive us when we whine about the path You set before us. Please turn our eyes away from the direction we covet. Please lead our hearts to better know You, so we will better trust Your plans for us—plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.

#encouragement
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to
BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from
nydailynews.com of Pete Rose slide into Ray Fosse, 1970

9 comments:

  1. I love this Anne! I was just thinking a little outside this today. How the Lord gave Israel over for a time (long time) because the people had turned from him and yet the people were waiting for the Lord to turn back instead. Sure the Lord has the power to direct our every step but like the Israelites we must first return to him fully. Isn't it ironic He ultimately gives us the control doesn't He? There's such a precious truth in that. I'm there. I'm waiting to see what course I take next on the path laid before me. I'm quite comfortable with Him leading the way.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Anne,

    Please pray for me to know with clarity God's will for me, so my feet won't stumble in following after Him. God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anne,

    As you say, there are times God has very specific plans for our lives, other times it is not as important what we do with our lives, but how we do it.

    Are we honoring God? Are our acts, acts of love? Acts of worship? Are we loving each other?

    When people ask me, "What does God want me to do with my life?" I answer that I do not know what He wants you to do, but I know how He wants you to do it... When He has a specific mission for you, He will not leave you guessing...

    ReplyDelete
  4. It is difficult sometimes to understand how when the spirit is so willing the flesh can be so weak. How I want to follow His leading faithfully. May He give the grace and an obedient heart with contentment.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Anne,

    I've told my kids, "The right to choose doesn't make what we choose right." Pray for discernment to know The Way.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good post. I appreciate your study. And I remember when this collision (in the picture) occurred!

    wb

    ReplyDelete
  7. T. Anne, there is irony in the freedom that comes in surrender to His will. When he leads, we are free from so much worry and fear!

    Gwen I gladly pray for you. Courage. He makes His will known to those who listen, and gives His strength to those who trust.

    Russell, I appreciate what you're saying about the how being more important than the what. Like our children, we have more delight in their love for us and for each other than for any accomplishment, even as we want to see them persist. Honor, love, worship—and 'how' not 'what.' Excellent.

    Patty, I think the flesh is subdued in at least these three ways: yielding to the Spirit in even the smallest things, so that we are sensitive to the Spirit's leading; in keeping ourselves focused on the Lord and His Word, so that our nature is conformed to what we look upon and worship; and in actively seeking the Godly above the goodly.

    Doug, I agree with you. God is pro-choice in that He gives us freedom to choose—understanding that our choices carry consequences. God is foremost pro-life. Each decision opposed to His will invites death to be at work in our lives. Even if we are saved and won't go to hell, we are capable of creating our own temporal hell with bad choices.

    Warren, I'm honored that someone of your aptitude and background has appreciated this. As for that collision, I had a little help from a baseball fan selecting a picture people might recognize. I understand that Ray Fosse played another nine seasons, but never again with the same power as before he and Pete Rose crossed paths.

    ReplyDelete
  8. My goodness, girl! You are one sharp lady. I already knew that, but I just read your remarks on our friend Brad's site, and was really impressed. Even more so when I came over here and spent a while with a really great teacher! I applaud your commitment to Christ and your great skill with words. I got some catching up to do, that's for sure. I often tell folks my best advice is to get as close to Christ as they can and stay there. In your case, I'm almost tempted to assure you that you'll make it to Heaven if you just don't overshoot the place! Good work! Your devotion to your Master radiates and lights and warms all of us who read what you write. don

    ReplyDelete
  9. Don, when my husband sees comments like this he says get out the pin before my head swells too big. I'll just avoid inhaling. But thanks. : )

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are appreciated and you can expect a reply. If Blogger doesn't accept your comment, or if you prefer
another method, I hope you'll respond via Twitter or email
(see sidebar icons or the "Contact Me" tab, above).

(Comments to older posts and will appear after approval.)