He Knows The Way That I Take

[rrford]

Much of our life is spent looking for direction. As it is for us so it was for Israel. They too were a people constantly looking for direction. Their journeying was often marked by their altars and their songs of worship.

When they came out of Egypt they learned a new song; a song of rejoicing. For all practical purposes it was the first real song of deliverance they could really sing. Imagine the exuberance and the abandon when they realized that tomorrow they would not wake up to the oppression of a cruel taskmaster. The sounds of singing and rejoicing filled the air.

But 3 days later the band stopped playing. They had run out of water and instead of worshippers they became complainers. God then gives them water. Yet they still did not become singers and worshippers again. They begin to cry for meat. God gave them quail. And still they did not worship. Next, they cried for bread. God gave them manna and once again they did not lift their voice in song.

But man did they ever become experts at complaining. They got it down to an art. All they needed was half a reason and they would light in to God and give Him what for.

First of all, what they should have never forgotten was that it was He who had led them out of Egyptian bondage. He did not lead them out to let them die on the other side of the Red Sea. He did not leave them out so that they would die in the wilderness. He did not lead them out so that they would dehydrate within 3 days.

Secondly, they should have continued to worship beyond the first day. I believe the lack of water was because there was a lack of worship. They worshipped wholeheartedly on the first day. But by the second day the deliverance was old hat to them. What God was looking for was spontaneous, grateful worship.

They should have reminded themselves that He knew the way that they took. After all, He planned and orchestrated their escape. He laid the route out for them. By His divine design He road mapped their journey. He knew exactly what He was doing.

What Israel failed to realize, and we sometimes fail to realize, is that there are some things worse than the wilderness.

But what could possibly be worse? What could be worse than running out of water? What could be worse than not having meat? What could be worse than going to bed hungry with no bread to fill you up?

It could have been worse if He would have let you go another direction and not led them through the Wilderness. Israel had no idea what God was keeping them from when He led them the way that He did. Exodus 13:17 tells us “And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:”

God indeed knew the way that they would take. He could have taken them through the land of the Philistines, which was much shorter. Many times shortcuts are not the best route! Had they gone that way they would have entered a land of war. Talk about trouble; try leaving Egypt only to enter a land of war!

Many times we find ourselves in situation we don’t understand. We come out of the bondage of a trial, whether sickness or financial need, spiritual need or emotional need. And man, do we ever worship and thank God. But 3 days later we seem to run out of steam.

We start wondering why in the world things are the way they are. What we need to do is worship on the second day after deliverance; the third day after; the fourth; the fifth.

He knows the way that I take and that is good enough for me! “But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.”

[Rhoni]

This is good...thank-you for reminding me!

Blessings, Rhoni

[secretplace]

Enjoyed reading this. It is so true. We are quick to forget expecially when we hit the next snag. I want to be thankful.

[rgcraig]

Great kick-off with the meaty threads!

Thanks rrford!

[RevDWW]

Battles must be fought and victories must be won before the Promise Land can be inhabited!

Resistance builds strength.

[Mr. Steinway]

We are a "What have you done for me lately?" generation. Instant gratification is the rule of the day!

I'm reminded of Don Johnson's song, "I Can't Complain"

Sometimes the clouds hang low
And I'd like to see them go
I ask myself this question; "Lord, Why so much pain?"
God knows what's best for me
Although I can not see
God is so good to me
I can't complain


God is so good to me
He is so good to me
More than this world will ever be
He's so good to me
His spirit came to me
And gave me victory
God is so good to me
I can't complain

I've had my bad days
and I've had hills to climb
I've had my sad days
and such a weary mind
But when I look about
And think these things all out
All of the good days outweigh the bad days
I can't complain!

[whollyHis]

We are a "What have you done for me lately?" generation. Instant gratification is the rule of the day!

I'm reminded of Don Johnson's song, "I Can't Complain"

Sometimes the clouds hang low
And I'd like to see them go
I ask myself this question; "Lord, Why so much pain?"
God knows what's best for me
Although I can not see
God is so good to me
I can't complain


God is so good to me
He is so good to me
More than this world will ever be
He's so good to me
His spirit came to me
And gave me victory
God is so good to me
I can't complain

I've had my bad days
and I've had hills to climb
I've had my sad days
and such a weary mind
But when I look about
And think these things all out
All of the good days outweigh the bad days
I can't complain!

Pianoman...do you think that our generation shoulders a lot of the blame for this mind set of 'instant gratification' that our children seem to have??

I tired to make it easier on my kids than I had it- I think I did them a grave disservice...

[Mr. Steinway]

Pianoman...do you think that our generation shoulders a lot of the blame for this mind set of 'instant gratification' that our children seem to have??

I tired to make it easier on my kids than I had it- I think I did them a grave disservice...

We all are guilty! It seems that $$ comes with ways and inventions that make our lives easier and easier. Our lives in our culture require less and less effort.

In the meantime, our kids are becoming overweight because they don't run and play like we did when we were kids. Today's kids sit in the of the TV playing video games, or surf the net for entertainment.

To show how spoiled I have become, one day a few months ago, I couldn't find the TV remote. Instead of walking up to the TV and physically making the channels change, I search for the remote for almost a half hour! I found it deep inside our sofa! :o

People are becoming less and less patient with inconvenience.(myself included!) I don't stop at a gas station where I can't pay at the pump!

[CC1]

rrford,

Thanks for the good word. This has the honor of being the first post from AFF that I am printing to really read in depth at liesure.

[Ron]

Much of our life is spent looking for direction. As it is for us so it was for Israel. They too were a people constantly looking for direction. Their journeying was often marked by their altars and their songs of worship.

When they came out of Egypt they learned a new song; a song of rejoicing. For all practical purposes it was the first real song of deliverance they could really sing. Imagine the exuberance and the abandon when they realized that tomorrow they would not wake up to the oppression of a cruel taskmaster. The sounds of singing and rejoicing filled the air.

But 3 days later the band stopped playing. They had run out of water and instead of worshippers they became complainers. God then gives them water. Yet they still did not become singers and worshippers again. They begin to cry for meat. God gave them quail. And still they did not worship. Next, they cried for bread. God gave them manna and once again they did not lift their voice in song.

But man did they ever become experts at complaining. They got it down to an art. All they needed was half a reason and they would light in to God and give Him what for.

First of all, what they should have never forgotten was that it was He who had led them out of Egyptian bondage. He did not lead them out to let them die on the other side of the Red Sea. He did not leave them out so that they would die in the wilderness. He did not lead them out so that they would dehydrate within 3 days.

Secondly, they should have continued to worship beyond the first day. I believe the lack of water was because there was a lack of worship. They worshipped wholeheartedly on the first day. But by the second day the deliverance was old hat to them. What God was looking for was spontaneous, grateful worship.

They should have reminded themselves that He knew the way that they took. After all, He planned and orchestrated their escape. He laid the route out for them. By His divine design He road mapped their journey. He knew exactly what He was doing.

What Israel failed to realize, and we sometimes fail to realize, is that there are some things worse than the wilderness.

But what could possibly be worse? What could be worse than running out of water? What could be worse than not having meat? What could be worse than going to bed hungry with no bread to fill you up?

It could have been worse if He would have let you go another direction and not led them through the Wilderness. Israel had no idea what God was keeping them from when He led them the way that He did. Exodus 13:17 tells us “And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:”

God indeed knew the way that they would take. He could have taken them through the land of the Philistines, which was much shorter. Many times shortcuts are not the best route! Had they gone that way they would have entered a land of war. Talk about trouble; try leaving Egypt only to enter a land of war!

Many times we find ourselves in situation we don’t understand. We come out of the bondage of a trial, whether sickness or financial need, spiritual need or emotional need. And man, do we ever worship and thank God. But 3 days later we seem to run out of steam.

We start wondering why in the world things are the way they are. What we need to do is worship on the second day after deliverance; the third day after; the fourth; the fifth.

He knows the way that I take and that is good enough for me! “But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.”


First off. Welcome Rrford! Glad you found us.
Second, I just want to say I am appreciative of your postiing of threads that cause us to think and really ministers in a beautiful, yet thought provoking way!
I needed to hear that!


God Bless!

Ron

[FirstRev]

Good word George! Call me this week.

[Sister Truth Seeker]

Thank you Brother....we need to rejoice in all things...even in our despair...because He does know my way and I need to trust in Him...

[ZeroedIn]

Good Stuff!!

[secretplace]

Your post made me think of the words of a song:

He knows where I am every hour of every day
He knows each thought I think
He knows each word I may say
Although there's been times I've been out of his will
I've never been out of His care.

[Sister Truth Seeker]

Your post made me think of the words of a song:

He knows where I am every hour of every day
He knows each thought I think
He knows each word I may say
Although there's been times I've been out of his will
I've never been out of His care.


Very Nice...

[MrsBOOMM]

Great thoughts on this thread, it brings this song to my mind.
He knows, Jesus knows
He knows the road I travel
He knows what's best for me
And tho I don't understand
All the changes life may bring
I never have to worry
He knows
He knows where He's leading me

[LaVonne]

Great post RRFord!

I needed this today! I've always believed that the Lord allows us to go through certain things/circumstances...in the end, it's for our good. I know we have been through a tough 3 years, and I know I've done more than my share of complaining! Today, I will rejoice and I'm going to try to keep it up! Thanks again! :ty

[rrford]

One of the most profound statements in the book of Job is recorded at the end of his trial. He basically says "I have heard of thee with my ears, but now I have seen thee with my eyes."

God uis faithful and never leaves us nor forsakes us. Sometimes we need the ability to look back down the road to realize just how much He really has been with us.

[LadyChocolate]

One of the most profound statements in the book of Job is recorded at the end of his trial. He basically says "I have heard of thee with my ears, but now I have seen thee with my eyes."

God uis faithful and never leaves us nor forsakes us. Sometimes we need the ability to look back down the road to realize just how much He really has been with us.

That is evermore, the truth..... I can look back on some of our darkest times when I thought, "God, are you still there?" but looking back I can see that He was there all along, and had I nought gone thru those rough times, I wouldn't be where I am today. Sometimes we just don't simply learn life's lessons like we need to without going thru a trial. I'm just glad the storm doesn't last always!

[Tina]

rrford,

Thanks for the good word. This has the honor of being the first post from AFF that I am printing to really read in depth at liesure.

You know, I really like that idea. I'm going to start printing off things like this and keeping them together in a binder. I can't get hubby to sign up on a forum... he doesn't have the patience to try to keep up with what is going on in the different threads. He misses so many great things that get posted. Thanks for the idea CC1. I'm gonna make a binder for hubby. He will enjoy having things like this for his devotional readings. :)

[ManOfWord]

Thanks Bro!!!!! I don't want to be a complainer. I want to be a thanksgiver and worshipper!

[LaVonne]

One of the most profound statements in the book of Job is recorded at the end of his trial. He basically says "I have heard of thee with my ears, but now I have seen thee with my eyes."

God uis faithful and never leaves us nor forsakes us. Sometimes we need the ability to look back down the road to realize just how much He really has been with us.

Isn't that the truth! I was just telling AG that a few days ago. Sometimes when we are going through a trial or just a hard time, we need to look back and see what God has done in our life!

[Monkeyman]

Thank you for posting this.

[AmazingGrace]

Isn't that the truth! I was just telling AG that a few days ago. Sometimes when we are going through a trial or just a hard time, we need to look back and see what God has done in our life!:covereyes

[whollyHis]

You see God's Will when you look behind you...

[AmazingGrace]

You see God's Will when you look behind you...


lately all I see when I look behind me is disaster..... really Gods will

[rrford]

lately all I see when I look behind me is disaster..... really Gods will

Awesome! Be thankful it is behind you and not in front of you. Israel saw the wilderness behind them but it sure beat seeing war in their midst that would have caused them to return to Egypt.

God has a direction He is leading you and it isn't backwards. Trust Him. The Shepherd always sees farther from His higher perspective than you do from your ground level perspective.

[whollyHis]

lately all I see when I look behind me is disaster..... really Gods will

It's hard to see God's will sometimes when we're in the battle...but, after the dust has settled, and the way is clear- we see WHY God brought us through, in the way that He did...

This too shall pass....*smile* Really.

[Barb]

Awesome! Be thankful it is behind you and not in front of you. Israel saw the wilderness behind them but it sure beat seeing war in their midst that would have caused them to return to Egypt.

God has a direction He is leading you and it isn't backwards. Trust Him. The Shepherd always sees farther from His higher perspective than you do from your ground level perspective.

This is excellent, RR...:thumbsup

[stmatthew]

Bumping some good meat from the pen of a good man!

[Ron]

Amen! Still good and relevant today as it was the first time it was posted.