PART FOUR: The Road He Travels

THE FIRST STEP

As you begin your study today, what questions are on your mind? What pressures discourage you, failings plague you, words wound you, or worries preoccupy your thoughts? If you have difficulty writing them down, remember that this study is about having an intimate relationship with God. He already knows all that is in your heart, but your willingness to be open and honest with Him is an essential requirement to being rightly related to Him.

SEEKING HIS PATH

God’s way is never the easy way—at least, not from our human viewpoint. We can see this demonstrated throughout the pages of His Word. Instead of a “status quo” life in Ur of the Chaldees, Abraham made a decision to obey God. He left his community, home—everything—to follow the Lord to an unknown location. In other words, Abraham took a huge step of faith. He accepted the challenge, ignored the risk, and said, “Let’s go for it!” Instead of an ordinary life herding flocks in Midian, Moses obeyed the Lord and spent forty years shepherding God’s people.

Through difficulty and sorrow, he journeyed on to the border of the Promised Land. Peter abandoned his fishing nets to proclaim the gospel and experienced terrible persecution. Paul relinquished his privileged position as a Pharisee to serve Christ and was imprisoned, shipwrecked, beaten, and executed. And instead of a quiet life as a carpenter, Jesus went to the cross to forgive us of our sins.

It wasn’t the easiest way, but for each one, it was most certainly the best way. Why? Because in each instance, a deeper, more intimate relationship with God was involved. For Abraham, Moses, Peter, and Paul, not only did they grow in their relationships with the Lord, but their lives also continue to serve as an example to all the generations who follow. And without Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we would not be able to enjoy an intimate, everlasting relationship with the Father at all.

Perhaps God has been directing you to take a path that is more difficult than you think you can bear. You want to be rich and famous, but He is calling you to a life of simplicity, obscurity, and self-sacrifice. You want to be married, but the Lord has only provided singleness. You want to be free of certain responsibilities, but He sends more for you to carry. You want to hold on to a loved one, but the Father is urging you to let go. You want vindication for the wrongs done to you, but He tells you to forgive. You want to understand what’s happening to you, but all God says is, “Trust Me.”

The road He is calling you to travel may seem far too difficult, sacrificial, and problem-filled for you to handle—but don’t run from Him. The path He is directing you to is the absolute best for your life, and on it you will not only experience His overwhelming love and power, but you will find all that your soul truly longs for (Ps. 37:4).

DEEPER IN INTIMACY; FURTHER IN OBEDIENCE

Reread the troubles you noted above in the First Step. Have these come about because you’ve chosen to walk in your own ways instead of God’s? You lack joy, peace, contentment, and feelings of security—is it because you refuse to follow the path the Lord has set for you? If this is the case, then the only thing that can change your circumstances is repentance and immediate obedience. Turn from your ways, submit to His perfect plan for you, and allow Him to draw you closer in intimacy and love.

Perhaps you are in the midst of walking in step with the Lord and do not understand why these pressures have come. Don’t doubt Him—just keep listening, obeying, following, and learning. He is equipping you for the next turn on your journey and teaching you how to shelter in His unconditional care. It may not make sense to you now, but be assured that God has a perfect view of the road ahead—He will not leave you unprepared.

YOUR WALK OF FAITH

Read Matthew 11:28–30. Do you believe what Jesus said in these verses? Do you trust Him enough to obey Him, walk in step with Him, and draw closer to Him in intimacy—even when the road He directs you to seems impossible? Rewrite this passage below as your prayer of devotion to the Lord.