God Speaking

“A man’s steps are directed by the Lord…”

(Proverbs 20: 24)

The Old Testament has such exciting stories of God intervening on behalf of man. The two I find the most fascinating are when God dramatically shows his power over nature, by parting the Red Sea and then equally as astounding the parting of the Jordan for Joshua and the Israelites. The part that intrigues me about both stories is that even though the people witnessed the waters parting, it was up to them to trust God and take that first step between the walls of water. When I read it, I often wonder if they were hesitant about that first step, thinking what if the water begins to flow again will we be washed away?

Taking that first step on a new path in life is very similar to both the stories. Often we are presented with something new in our lives that requires us to step out in faith and pursue what may look daunting,  It may be a new job/ a totally new direction for our lives/ the Lord may be calling us to work for him/ we may have endured a devastating loss and need just to face the future with courage.

The Israelites were facing leaving everything familiar behind and entering a new country, but none of their dreams or hopes would eventuate unless they took that first step through the water. They trusted the Lord God Almighty would be there with them, protecting them, and bravely stepped between the waters.

Later Solomon reminded their descendants, and of course us, that trusting the Lord and asking him for guidance is a wise thing to do before we undertake any new path in life;

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3: 5 – 6) 

Fear and doubt about any new path can prohibit us from taking that first step, but if we have the Lord walking right beside us casting his protective shadow over us, we can have the courage to keep going.

Noah’s story is another wonderful example of trusting God and taking that first step in building the ark, which must have seemed impossible to him, but he trusted God and began to build. This verse gives us a clue to Noah’s relationship with God;

“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” (Genesis 6: 9)

Many years later Paul writes the same advice to his readers. If we are facing nay sort of challenge in our lives, remember who will be walking with you on that first step, if you just ask him to accompany you.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5: 25)