…He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3
Once the Lord shows us that we are on the wrong path, it is essential that we agree with His plan, change our course, and follow His way. Isaiah warned the people that they were obstinate because they carried out their own plans rather than the plans of the Lord, forming an alliance not by His Spirit. (Isaiah 30:1) They consulted with the Pharaoh of Egypt, aligning themselves with ungodly advice (human wisdom and reasoning) and sought the protection of the Pharaoh. Their sin, according to Isaiah, was like a high wall, cracked and bulging, collapsing suddenly. (Isaiah 30:13) We, too, have our “high walls” built on human reasoning and unholy alliances. The Lord is calling us to depend on Him, to trust Him, and to come into agreement with His Word laid forth in the Scriptures. The rebellious people in Isaiah’s day told the prophets to tell them only pleasant things and to stop confronting them with the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 30:10).
In our nation today and in our personal lives, we can hear the cry of many saying, “Don’t tell me any more bad news about God’s judgment; don’t confront me with the truth of Scripture.” I pray that the Lord will help us to be willing to align ourselves with His truth. May we also be willing to confront the places of complacency in our own spiritual lives and be willing to agree with His purposes and plans.
Heavenly Father,
Lead me and guide me today. If I am going in the wrong direction, opposed to Your plan and Your will, help me to change my course and follow You. I am often just like the Israelites – obstinate and unwilling to follow Your way. Help me to depend on Your Holy Spirit to guide me and keep me from rebellion.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
