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
If you have ever made the mistake of turning the wrong way down a one-way street, you know all about the panic and embarrassment that follows. You dodge oncoming vehicles with honking drivers, and a variety of hand gestures, who feel the need to remind you, just in case you have forgotten, that you are clearly an idiot and shouldn’t be behind the wheel. You just want to disappear as you desperately search for a place to safely turn around and right your wrong.
Sometimes our spiritual lives are similar. We find ourselves heading in the wrong direction, dodging truth and avoiding obedience, because the voice we are listening to isn’t God’s. The enemy of our hearts changes our direction by convincing us that his way is more exciting, and that we shouldn’t have to miss out on all the fun everyone else is having! It is frighteningly easy to get off track in this broken world and believe the voice of the liar—the voice that screams louder than the gentle whisper of our great God (1 Kings 19:11-12). But eventually, all rebellion against Jesus catches up with us. It hurts us and those we love. And the only way to right our wrongs is to get quiet so we can hear the gentle Voice of Truth that guides us with pure wisdom (James 3:17). When we stay close to God and obediently follow His unchanging ways, He will show us the way to walk in faith.
No matter where you find yourself in your faith, even if you have been aimlessly wandering with no clear direction, there’s no reason to panic or hide because of your mistakes. Jesus is right there. You just need to get close enough to hear Him! Spending time in His Word and in prayer will silence the enemy’s lies and reveal the truth that points you in the right direction. Jesus will never leave you, and HIs grace will never run out, no matter how many times you go the wrong way down the one-way path that leads to Him. And the only gestures you will see are His wide open arms and scarred hands waiting to hold you close. Then He will turn you around, and you will hear Him whisper, “This is the way, walk in it.” You are loved!
Psalm 73:28 says, “But as for me, I get as close to him as I can! I have chosen him, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful ways he rescues me.” Psalm 73:28 (TLB)