Show me the right path, O LORD;
Point out the road for me to follow.
Psalm 25:4, NLT
There is a special path Jesus calls His children to walk on. It’s not a human path made of dirt somewhere on the outskirts of your neighborhood, or a tree-lined concrete trail that winds through a local park. It’s not a feel-good allegory or some inspirational idea to think about when you have time. In Isaiah 42:16, the Lord says He will lead his children down a new path, “guiding them along an unfamiliar way,” brightening the darkness before them and smoothing out the road ahead of them. He shows His people this perfect path (Proverbs 3:6), and calls it narrow because it’s just wide enough for you and Him–not you, Him, and the other things you think you need. The path Jesus calls you to follow is a tangible path of love and truth (Psalm 25:10). It is one of righteousness (Psalm 23:3) and when traveled on gives “rest for your soul” (Jeremiah 6:16).
Friend, this is where the enemy comes in. He knows all about this one true path. His desire is to keep you off of it. He would love nothing else than to watch you stumble and fall across the misleading paths of your own creation. The enemy loves to sit back and watch you trudge down paths made by man: the ones lined with false promises and broken dreams. Your enemy is smart. If he can’t tempt you onto these worldly paths, then he gets to work trying to impede your progress, spending his time building roadblocks hoping you will turn around or step off the path. But in faith, you will see that these setbacks aren’t insurmountable. You will courageously get over them.
Your current situation, good or bad, doesn’t define you. Jesus does, and He calls you His precious child. He is the Way (John 14:6), so with Him, you know you are walking the path of life that He has set you securely upon.
The Bible is filled with examples of fellow believers walking down the same path of hope and love. Abraham was seventy-five when God called him to leave everything behind and walk down the path of life. Moses and the Israelites followed the path out of Egypt across the desert for years and years, finally ending up in the promised land. The ultimate journey across the path, however, was Jesus’.
For you, He took a special journey from heaven to earth and for years made a way clear to the cross. The path took a detour into a dark tomb where the enemy thought the path ended. But you know, it wasn’t a dead end, but the on-ramp to new life as Jesus rose and stepped out alive and well!
So be encouraged. Keep your Bible open and dive deep into its oceans of truth because it is “a lamp for your feet, a light on your path” (Psalms 119:105). Jesus sees you and knows exactly what you’re going through. He is with you, walking through every joyful experience and every heartache and disappointment. Remember, Jesus never changes. When the path of life leads through dark and confusing times, Jesus holds you close and leads the way. Never forget God knew you in your mother’s womb. Before you took your first step, your heavenly Father was aware of you and the same is true right now. Follow Him through the rest of this new day, believing with everything in you that He is good, and He sees you. Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” So keep on, dear friend. Keep going into every tomorrow on the path he has for you, knowing you have eternal rest under the shadow of His powerful wings (Psalm 63:7).
Lord Jesus, please lead me where You want. Give me a deep faith—the kind that doesn’t question Your promises. In Your holy and mighty name, Amen.