The path behind is not a path forward.
“Your road led through the Red Sea,
a pathway no one knew was there!” Psalm 77:19 NLT.
My thoughts and comments today are about,
“the path behind and before.”
A dead end is not a comfortable place to be, especially if you don’t know how you got there. There are times when you can’t make sense of what is behind you, let alone the unforeseen that is ahead. In life, there will be uncertainty when you don’t know what comes next. Yet there will be decisions you need to make, with or without the information you need to make a wise and informed choice. God has a promise for such times, ”If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV.
From years earlier, I recall a simple worship chorus that often brought me peace and assurance, “God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways I cannot see, He will make a way for me. He will be my Guide, hold me closely to His side. With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way. God will make a way.” (Don Moen.) At one time or another, everyone will need the One who will make a way.
Moses and Israel experienced exactly that. Delivered from Egypt’s slavery, they soon faced an uncrossable, impossible obstacle, with the Red Sea ahead of them and the pursuing Egyptians behind them. Talk about being between, “a rock and a hard place.” That was exactly where they were, between a difficulty and an impossibility. The path behind and the path before provided no good option. Moses and Israel could not go back, nor could they move forward. Betwixt and between is never a comfortable place to be. Such moments test your trust. But God will be found in your quandary.
In those times and circumstances, you must rely on God alone. You can read their story in Exodus, the second book in the Old Testament. The story is not unique to the fledgling nation of Israel. It is yours and my story as well. When you find yourself in such places, remember God’s reassuring words, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts [higher] than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV.
God told Moses to stretch out his shepherd’s staff. Read Exodus 14:9-31 NIV. When Moses and Israel did as God said, an angel parted the water for Israel to cross safely, “on dry land,” while the pursuing Egyptian army was restrained by a wall of fire, until Israel was safely across the sea on dry land. Then the waters collapsed on Pharaoh and his army, destroying them in the deep and deadly waters. David later wrote of that day, “Your road led through the sea, Your pathway through the mighty waters – a pathway no one knew was there.” Psalm 77:19 NLT. God has a pathway for you that is unknown and unforeseen.
Possibly, the path ahead is obscured and retreating appears no option. The Apostle Paul discovered three elements that release you for meaningful, spiritual progress. Break free from the past. Embrace the future tenaciously. Anything worth having is worth the sacrifice. The path behind is not a path forward. “One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV.
How do you do that? “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV. It is simple but requires effort.
Today, I pray for you to see obstacles removed and the way forward.
Christian Communications 2019
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