Introduction:
Life is a journey from here to there. We talked about that last week as I told you about the lessons I learned as we moved the church service from the church house to the parking lot. And one of the things that I said is that in a God initiated journey from here to there, God will make it evident you are to make that journey. But if it is not a God initiated journey than God will be silent.
Well, today, I want to expand upon that discussion. I don’t want you to think in a God initiated journey that He gives us the go ahead- take the journey; move from here to there- and not guide us all the way through the journey. If it is God initiated journey, He not only tell you to go but He guides you all the way.
Let’s explore that idea as we look at our Scripture today from:
Psalm 32:8-11 (NKJV)
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.
10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Point #1
THE LORD, IF IT IS A GOD INITIATED JOURNEY, ALWAYS HAS TIME TO GUIDE US FROM HERE TO THERE. HE NEVER MAKES THE EXCUSE THAT I DON’T HAVE THE TIME.
Look at verse 8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go.” It does not matter if your journey is a short journey, a medium size journey, or an extremely long journey, the God of this universe has time for you.
I looked at that Scripture verse long and hard; I looked at it in several translations, and nowhere does it say I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you go if I have the time. Do you know what that means? God always has time for you.
Now think about your life. How many times have you disappointed your child because at the beginning of the week you told him or her that we can do that this Saturday if we have time? Saturday comes around, and you do not have the time. You might have told your spouse; you will stop and pick that up for them. But you come home empty handed and your excuse is I am sorry, I got busy and I did not have the time. I think we all have accumulated over our lifetime a lot of- I am sorrys, I did not have the time.
Do you realize that God has made a personal commitment to me and to you that He will always have time for me? The God of the Universe will never tell me that He don’t have the time for me.
Point #2
THE LORD, IF IT IS A GOD INITIATED JOURNEY, SAYS THAT IN THE DAYS OF SOCIAL DISTANCING, I DON’T SOCIAL DISTANCE. I AM RIGHT THERE; RIGHT UP ON YOU.
Look at the second half of verse 8 “I will guide you with My eye.” Young’s Literal Translation says it this way: Psalm 32:8 (YLT) …I cause mine eye to take counsel concerning thee.
I know about counseling. Counseling is meant to be very close; up-close and personal. When I was in school, the instructors would tell us students, do not put a lot of things between you and the client. Keep your desk small and simple. Let few things be a barrier between you and the client. It is all about building that relationship and letting them know you care.
The Lord says in this verse that I am up close and personal. I care and I care so much you can clearly see my eye is upon you. When I was in grammar school, I was not the best behaved student, I was just kind of playful, got bored easily and became a distraction to others, but I had some teachers who could give me that teacher eye (you know what I am talking about) and it shouted I am watching you. And what I picture here is God as my Heavenly Father is giving me that eye that says I am watching you.
So why is that important? A journey from here to there always has dangers; always the unexpected. And I do not need God social distancing. I need Him right next to me for His watchful eye so that I don’t go off the path because as I am traveling I am sure that there will be some paths that might seem much more attractive to me than the one I am on. I need His watchful eye to be sure I do not get off course.
I also need God’s protection and His watchful eye is telling me that He is protecting me as I travel from here to there. My philosophy about traveling is that I always expect the unexpected. If something can go wrong on a trip, it usually does. But God’s protection gives me comfort. I need that.
Point #3
THE LORD, IF IT IS A GOD INITIATED JOURNEY, SAYS IF YOU DON’T FIGHT ME AND LET ME LEAD YOU FROM HERE TO THERE THEN YOU WILL BE THE ONE WHO WILL BE BLESSED.
In verses 9 and the first half of verse 10, we are told that even if they know that God is initiating the journey that they are some that are not going to go. They are going to fight it. Some many not go because they don’t want to have anything to do with God. They view God as their enemy. Verse 10 describes them as the wicked. And this is what the Bible says about the wicked. 1 Corinthians 6:9 (NIV)
9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?
But there is also a second group that fights God and in this group are Christian men and women just like you and me. They hear from God what they are to do or where they are supposed to go but just don’t do it or go where He ask them to go. These are stubborn people. The classic example of a follower of God who was stubborn was Jonah. And God says He is not beyond taking them kicking and screaming to where they need to be. And that is exactly what God did to Jonah.
But look with me at the second half of verse 10 and verse 11. There are Christian men and woman who willingly follow a God initiated journey. Those are the ones who get truly blessed. “…But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. 11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
And what God says about these people is that you will see evidence in their life that God’s lovingkindness, His mercy will be all around them. And these Christian men and women will have an inner quality that all of us long for and that is joy in our hearts.
Conclusion
My question to you today is the same as the title to this sermon. Are you going to let God lead you all the way?
