Guided!

Guided!

Psalms 119:105 AMP

[105] Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Proverbs 6:23 AMP

[23] For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching [of the law] is light, And reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life.

As was pointed out in our previous devotions, we live in a fallen world. Sin has become the norm and not the exception; the world will  condone that which God does not permit, and it will hate that which God loves. It is not a wonder, then, that God makes it clear that any one who is under the control of the fallen human nature cannot inherit the kingdom of God. It is because both natures have different masters, different pursuits, priorities and purposes, and of course, different eternal destinations. No matter how hard you pull, you can never pull the human nature into the path of eternal life with God. That nature has to be changed into that which God produces if it is to take hold of that which God provides. This is where the verses above make sense: there is a provision by God for such times as we are in. There is a provision by God that is adequate and sufficient for whatever issues the world may bring, and that is His Word.

It may sound so simple, but anyone who has had an encounter with the Word will know the power behind the Word. Let it be clear: the Word of God is multidimensional: there is the written word that we read, which, when read with the help of the One who inspired it, will be a blessing to the reader. There is also the spoken word, by which God made the earth and the heavens, and which all who are made in His image are able to exercise, whether the right way or not. Of course, there is also the person of the Word Himself, the One who fully encapsulates all the other dimensions of the Word. Jesus is called the Word of God. He is the One who can bring to life and reality that which God has inspired men to write about Himself, and He gives life and expression to all who come to Him by the Word and lay hold of the promises and covenants that are birthed in the Word. 

That is why verses like the ones above are possible. The Word of God is the mind of God and no one misses it if he is guided by the Word. Human feet need guidance, because we would not naturally choose that which is right. We make decisions on a regular basis, and we will only be able to do what is right when we have the right kind of help. Let it also be clear that though God does not force Himself on anyone, his instructions are not negotiations. They are commandments made by a commanding officer and which must be obeyed by all who bear true allegiance to the commanding officer. Yes, there may be times when I go wrong, but because God knows I am His, He can correct and restore me, and I will submit to His discipline and guidance. Does this describe me at the moment? This is a note of caution to all who want to follow the Word. It will not always be convenient, because the Word will challenge the human nature, but the eternal benefits make it worth the sacrifice. Would you submit to the authority of the Word? God's time of favour is here.