It was a new mapping program that the corporate office wanted us to follow. My workers were not happy about it and told me it would not work. I was in agreement with them however, my job was to have them do it. I told them just do as I ask for a few weeks. I would then evaluate it and send a report to corporate. It was several days later when one worker called me. He said, how closely do you want me to follow this program. I said as closely as you can. He responded it is telling me to turn left but if I do I will drive straight into the river.
Mapping programs are much better today and we use them often. While they still make mistakes for the most part they get us where we need to go. Imagine what our vacations would be like if we followed our gps like we follow God.
Jonah 1:3 NASB95 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
In the middle of a strange city on a busy freeway as you are driving in the right lane the gps says take the next exit to the right. What would happen if you decided to go left instead? You would probably cause a wreck and you definitely would not arrive at your destination. Of course we would never do this. Yet how often does God say go north and we say, no I think going south is better? How often does God say tell them about Me and we say, no I think I will just talk about the weather. How often does God say stand up and we say, no I think I will sit down? How often does God say go to church, serve, and follow me and we say, no I think I will stay home, rest, and go where I please? When we do as Jonah did and go the wrong way, God will send storms, bumps, pot holes, and rivers to hinder our travel. When we go the way He says, there will still be storms, bumps, pot holes, and rivers put in place by sin. However we will be provided with God's umbrella, shocks, and bridges to get us through to the center of His will. Which is where we need to be.
On occasions the gps leads us the wrong way but God never does.
If He says go to the other side, He will provide a boat. When He says get out of the boat, you will walk on water. When you take your eyes off of Him and start to sink, just cry out and He will give you His hand. When He leads you to a giant He will give you a stone. Most importantly, when the cross is to much, He will take your place! Follow Him and He will light the way and direct your path.
Try it for a few weeks on this I can promise you.
Jesus will never lead you the wrong way!
Love Bro. Scott