FOLLOWING GOD’S WAY

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “THIS IS THE WAY, walk in it” – Isaiah 30:21a

There is no better choice in life than FOLLOWING GOD’S WAY: “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “THIS IS THE WAY, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” (Isa.30:21). God’s plans are way different than our own, but they are always the best: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer.29:11). We often find it hard to completely trust the fact that God has a perfect plan for our lives; hence, we try to do things our own way, and it usually turns out as a disaster (Pro.14:12). We can learn much from Isaiah 30, which centres on Judah’s disastrous folly of relying on Egypt.

Isaiah’s warnings against Judah’s alliance with Egypt were in vain. Such reliance was against God’s Will and would end only in disgrace (vv.1-5). Isaiah pictured the dangerous journey, as a caravan of donkeys and camels carried Judah’s payment towards Egypt. He knew that the journey was a waste of time, money and effort (v.6). Judah thought of Egypt as a great dragon that will help it overthrow enemy Assyria, but Isaiah knew that Egypt would “help in vain and to no purpose” (v.7). Isaiah inscribed this message as a permanent record that the people have been warned (v.8). But the rebellious people did not want to hear God’s Word or follow His Ways. They wanted to hear only what pleased them (vv.9-11). They were filled with their own ways, trusting in a treaty with Egypt, like a high wall of protection, which would collapse on them (vv.12-14).

Instead of trusting in God, Judah trusted in military strength – an invitation for defeat, because Assyria’s military strength surpassed that of Egypt (vv.15-17). God wanted to help His people, but they had to learn to trust in Him (v.18). Despite their rebellion, God in His mercy did not cast them off permanently (v.19). He is the Great Teacher who chastises us when we turn from Him, so that we might see our errors, give up our sinful ways and return to walk in His Ways (vv.20-22). Then God pours out upon us His blessings to an extent we have never before experienced (vv.23-26).

If we want to follow the path that God has planned for us, here are few vital points to note:

Identify with Christ: To know where we are going we must know who we are.

Submit wholly to God and trust Him:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Pro.3: 5-6). “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (Jam.4: 7-8).

Pray and Spend Time with God in His Word: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom.12:2).

Listen and Obey the Voice of the Good Shepherd (Jh.10: 14-16). Submit to the Leading of the Holy Spirit: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Rom.8:14).

Beware of Deception:

• “Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you…” (Jer.29:8b)

• “Let no one deceive you with empty words…” (Eph.5:6).

• “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Col.2:8).

• “Little children, let no one deceive you” (1Jh.3:7a).

God has a plan for each of our lives and it’s up to us to follow His Ways so we can fulfil His Plans and Divine Destiny. We must never let the enemy knock us off track or distract us from all that God has ordained for us.