Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV
The Lord, our God, guides us in our daily walk, and desires that we not only hear his voice, but follow him through it. We hear his voice through his word, the word of God being our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. When we walk with Jesus daily, we are following God’s voice.
It is written:
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Where are we going? What is the ultimate goal? We can’t define it by our own standards, our Lord has the plan.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
Paul gives us a glimpse of what it is all about. We are to listen for his voice, set ourselves apart from the world so we can understand his will for us, and follow his voice to where it leads us. Then what? As we follow in “the Way,” we are to remember:
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV
So we walk with him daily, listening for his soft gentle voice, setting ourselves apart from this world, and telling all who ask us why we do this about the hope we have in him!
Our Lord, Christ Jesus, gives us a glimpse of what he is leading us to when He says:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house there are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4 NIV
The night he was arrested, Jesus prayed this, stating his desire for us:
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” John 17:24 NIV
From the very beginning, God created us to fellowship with him, to honor and glorify him, to worship him, and most of all to love him. His ultimate goal for us is this, to be with him where he is going, and to see his glory! Not just you and I, but all who hear and follow him. The goal is His, not ours. Amen!
Keep on loving each other as brothers, and remember that none of us are less than loved by God!
Barnabas
Special thanks for this guest submission by Barnabas.