1. From A Solitary Way To The Right Way
2. The Lord Knows The Way Of The Righteous
3. Thankful For The Right Way
4. “Go They Way”
5. He Is Acquainted With All My Ways
6. A Morning Prayer
7. My Lord Knows The Way
8. How Can We Know The Way?
9. A Right Way And A Wrong Way
10. A Memorial Along The Way
11. “As The Rain Cometh Down…”
12. All The Way
13. He Knows The Way That I Take
14. I Like The Old Way
15. More Ways Of The Lord
1. From A Solitary Way To The Right Way
I like to read my Bible in the morning, before I start my day. My day always seems to go better when I begin the day with my Lord. After reading Psalms of praise the other day, I spent my morning singing praises to the Lord. Sometimes, in the evening as I am winding down, I feel a nudge from the Lord to read a few more chapters before going to bed. Last night, I started with Psalm 107. I came to verse 7 and I had to stop and thank the Lord for leading me in “the right way”. This chapter tells us that the Israelites “wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way…” and they cried unto the Lord and He led them “by the right way”. The Lord can take our solitary way of wandering and lead us in the right way.
“1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” (Psalm 107:1-7)
2. The Lord Knows The Way Of The Righteous
When I read my Bible before going to bed I think of the verses as I fall to sleep. When the Lord leads me in a new direction for the devotionals, it is exciting for me to meditate on thoughts and verses from God’s Word. The first Psalm tells us it is a delight to meditate on His Word day and night. And the last verse reminds us, “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Even when I don’t know which way to go, I am glad that the Lord knows.
“1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (Psalm 1)
3. Thankful For The Right Way
The first example of the “right way” is found in Genesis. Abraham was old and sent his servant back to his country to find a wife for Isaac so he would not have to marry a daughter of Canaan. The servant prayed and asked God to show him the right woman to take back to Isaac. God answered his prayer and He thanked God for leading him in the right way. We should also give thanks to our Lord for His leading.
“42 And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:
43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
44 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.
45 And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
48 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.” (Genesis 24:42-48)
4. “Go Thy Way”
Pastor Rick Byerly preached a great message last Wednesday evening about blind Bartimaeus. The blind man called out to Jesus, even though people around him told him to hold his peace. He got Jesus’ attention and Mark 10:49 tells us, “And Jesus stood still…” When we call out to Jesus He listens to our cry and is ready to answer our call. Notice verse 52, “And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” After Jesus healed him, He told him to “Go thy way…” and Bartimaeus “followed Jesus in the way.” After Jesus opens our blinded eyes and saves us, then our way changes from our way to following Jesus in the way.
“46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” (Mark 10:46-52)
5. He Is Acquainted With All My Ways
We once went to the home of a jeweler and saw a beautiful grandfather clock. He told us a little about the clock, and he knew all about it, for he had made it. I thought that if I had something like that and it quit working, or had a problem, there would be no better person to ask to fix it than the creator. When I read Psalm 139, it tells me how the Lord is my Creator and he is acquainted with all my ways.
“1 <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” (Psalm 139:1-6)
David acknowledged that the Lord knew everything about him, that He was acquainted with all his ways. This led David to the realization that if there was something wrong in his heart and thoughts, his Creator is the one to be called on to fix it. He closes the Psalm with a plea that we can all ask of our Lord. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) If we are having problems of any kind, we can call on the One who created us and ask Him to find the wicked way, and lead us in the everlasting way.
6. A Morning Prayer
This devotional week began with reading God’s Word in the morning. As I was reading this morning, I came across a morning prayer. David prayed, “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” (Psalm 143:8) This was a beautiful way to begin my day! The Lord is good and sheds His lovingkindness down on us each day. It will surely help us to acknowledge His great love and mercy. This verse also reminds us to ask the Lord to lead us in the way we should go before we begin each new day. Another verse I like for the mornings is Psalm 5:3, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”
7. My Lord Knows The Way
As Michael let me out at the door of the cancer center, so he could find a place to park in the parking deck, my mind went back to the times when he had to get me to the right place in a wheel chair. As the lab technician tried to find my vein, I remembered having a portacath. I thought the oncologist looked different, but Michael said he looked the same. I saw everything through different eyes back then. It has been two and a half years since my last chemo. I was stressed for several days before this visit. The painful memories all come back. But, His grace is sufficient for me. My lab results were good and my tumor markers were good. It was a good visit and I know the Lord is always with me, so I really shouldn’t stress about doctor visits, but I almost always do. Even the simple ones. There is a little chorus that was written by Sidney E. Cox in 1951, “My Lord Knows The Way Through The Wilderness.” Often when I read the books of Exodus through Deuteronomy, I wonder why the Israelites didn’t trust the Lord to show them the way. He proved His love for them over and over again. He led them by a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. All they had to do was follow. “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” (Exodus 13:21-22) During times like this, when I am stressing over a doctor visit, I am reminded that my Lord knows the way through the wilderness, and all I have to do is follow. Are you stressing today as you follow a difficult pathway? The Lord knows the way. You can turn to Him and follow. He can be a lamp unto our feet in the day, and a light unto our path in the night.
“My Lord Knows The Way Through The Wilderness”
“My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,
All I have to do is follow.
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,
All I have to do is follow.
Strength for today is mine all the way,
And all that I need for tomorrow.
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,
All I have to do is follow.”
8. How Can We Know The Way?
When we have questions about the things of God we can read our Bible and pray. We can talk to a preacher, or Bible teacher, or maybe a good Christian friend. The disciples walked and talked with Jesus and they heard His teaching. Sometimes they had questions about things they did not understand. A good example is in John 14 when Jesus was trying to prepare His followers for his death and resurrection. Some may ridicule Thomas because he had times of doubt, but I like his question here. He asked the question and Jesus answered.
“1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:1-6)
This is a very good earthly question. Basically, he said, “We don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” But, Jesus was speaking on spiritual things. And because Thomas asked this question, we have the amazing answer given by our Lord. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus is the way to heaven and everlasting life. He is not just a way, but the only way. If we want to go to heaven, then we have to believe in Jesus and confess our sin, and put our trust in Him. We can’t believe in a false god. We can’t do enough good works to get to heaven. We can’t go just because we go to church sometimes. Jesus is the only way!
9. A Right Way And A Wrong Way
I was pulling weeds from my garden Saturday and thinking about all the advice I have heard about gardening. I learned some things from my parents, who probably learned from their parents. I am always searching and trying to find more helpful knowledge. But, we can’t always know that what we hear is the right way. I learned that planting radishes next to squash plants, will not keep away the squash bugs. I have not even eaten a squash yet, and I think I killed 8 squash bugs while pulling the weeds from the squash and radishes. Most of my gardening is trial and error. I would not tell anyone that my way of doing something is the right way. But, if I asked someone to show me how to do something and he or she said, “There’s a right way, and a wrong way…” I would surely listen closely. Many times people learn through age and experience and it might save me time, inconvenience, and maybe even injury, to listen and learn from someone who knows. I try what seems to be the right way, but just like radishes keeping squash bugs away, some things don’t prove to be true. The exception to this statement is that God’s Word is always true. What God says is the right way, has always been, and will always be, the right way. I am reading in the book of Proverbs and there is a verse that is repeated twice, the only difference being “that” and “which”. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25) The right way to be saved is to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and died for our sin. When we ask Jesus to forgive us and save us, He gives us eternal life. No matter how “right” a person’s view of getting to heaven may be, any other way leads to death and judgment. Not only is there one right way to be saved, there is also a right time. Paul told the church at Corinth, “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (II Corinthians 6:2) Do you remember when Paul witnessed to King Agrippa? “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (Acts 26:27-28) We also see the answer of Felix. “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” (Acts 24:25) We never read in the Bible if Felix or King Agrippa believed on Jesus and got saved. Being “almost” saved won’t get you to heaven. And we are not promised tomorrow. There is no better time, than when the Spirit convicts your heart to be saved. Don’t trust in any other way that may seem right. Jesus is the only way of salvation.
10. A Memorial Along The Way
After the death of Moses, God chose Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. And God opened up the way through the Jordan River just as He had opened up the Red Sea for Moses when they came out of Egypt. The Lord told Joshua to take a man from each of the twelve tribes to carry a stone from the river. These stones were set up for a memorial so that they could teach their children how God led them across the river. Today is Memorial Day and there are many places set apart to honor the men and women who died in battles as they fought for our freedom. Let’s be thankful for the freedom we have in America and for those who fought for our freedom. We can be even more thankful for Jesus, who gave His life on the cross to give us freedom from sin. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
“5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?
7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.” (Joshua 4:5-7)
11. “As The Rain Cometh Down…”
God has blessed us with rain! The garden ground was hard and dry, and I am so thankful for the rain. I love these verses from the book of Isaiah. Can you imagine how it will be in heaven? We really can’t, just as the Lord said, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” After being able to read God’s Word now, it will be wonderful to walk and talk with our Lord through eternity. We will also be able to walk and talk with these great old prophets that the Lord uses to speak to us. These are some wonderful verses from the book of Isaiah.
“6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:6)
12. All The Way
Moses knew that his days of leading the Israelites were ending. The book of Deuteronomy is his last message to them as he reminds them of how God led them all the way, and how they needed to keep trusting the Lord. “And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.” (Deuteronomy 1:31) God also goes with us all the way. He is our heavenly Father and cares for us as a father cares for his son.
“4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:4-7)
Michael and I often sing this great old hymn written by Fanny Crosby in 1875. Fanny Crosby was blind and knew how important it was for someone to lead her. It is a wonderful testimony that she trusted the Lord to lead her all the way through life. It is true in my life from the very first line, to the end of the song, “This my song thru’ endless ages: Jesus led me all the way.”
“All The Way”
“1. All the way my Savior leads me.
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy,
Who thru' life has been my Guide?
Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
2. All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for ev’ry trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Tho' my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
3. All the way my Savior leads me;
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, cloth'd immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song thru' endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.
This my song thru’ endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.”
13. He Knows The Way That I Take
When I stop to pray it seems like there are so many who need prayer. I have never known so many people who are hurting with sickness, or other heavy loads. I believe that we can get help from the book of Job. Job was a good man. “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” (Job 1:1) He lost his children and his livestock and servants. He lost his health and his wealth. His friends and his wife turned against him. He searched for God and could not find Him. But, he kept his faith in the Lord. Keep trusting in the Lord! Family and friends may not be able to help you during hard times, and they may even let you down, but keep looking to the Lord. He is your Light even on the dark days. He will never let you down! He will never fail you! And He will always love you!
“8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:8-10)
14. I Like The Old Ways
Jeremiah 6:16 begins, “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls…” I am one of those who likes the old paths. I think the old ways are better! Look how the verse ends. “...But they said, We will not walk therein.” We may think that the sins of the people are worse than ever, but there have always been some who refuse to walk in the ways of the Lord. Fifty years ago preachers talked about the silent majority, those who quietly followed God. Maybe we were too quiet, for too long. Those who are against what’s right are speaking out loud and strong and challenging the right way in America. We need to stick to the old, righteous ways and keep following the Lord. The world needs to see Jesus in us, even when they don’t want to.
15. More Ways Of The Lord
As we close this chapter on “The Right Way” I want to share a few more scriptures that remind us to follow the ways of the Lord.
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33)
“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 3:1)
“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.” (Psalm 25:4)
“12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:12)
“5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.” (Haggai 1:5-7)
“10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-12)
“5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:-6)
“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23)
The Right Way
