Have you too experienced the exhaustion of wandering?! Maybe you have seen those “Family Circus” comics that trace the little boy’s wandering steps ALL over the neighborhood before he fulfills his purpose; like delivering the message to his sister (who has been sitting on the front porch all along) that it’s time for dinner! Talk about taking the long route to fulfill a purpose; exhausting!
God graciously and patiently loves us through our wanderings and continues to meet us in our self imposed exhaustion. Mark 6:31b (NIV) Jesus says, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” He also beckons us in Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
In our continued wanderings and double-mindedness God continues to instruct and guide with all compassion and understanding, in sincerity and truth. In James 1:6-8 (NIV) But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. Think of a toddler learning to walk and all the energy they expend in their unstable wanderings! I wonder how many of us appear to God, in the same exhausted shape as a toddler at nap time!
With gentleness God says in Deuteronomy 5:32 (NIV) So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Similarly in Proverbs 4:23-27 (NIV) He advises, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. How long dear one, must we wander around before we learn to heed His instruction?! I think God may have the very same wonder!
Psalm 4:2 (CSB) How long, exalted ones, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? And yet in His grace, mercy, love, forgiveness and sincere compassion He reaches out again and again to restore and redeem to Himself all who are willing to respond to His rest and reset. Proverbs 1:23 (CSB) If you respond to my warning, then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words. Oh precious heart, do you hear the love of Jesus as He pursues you and I even in our wanderings?! 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 (NIV)
In reverent response to His voice calling out in my wandering I make Deuteronomy 5:29 a personalized prayer from a heart I pray is pure, sincere and truthful before God Almighty; “Oh, Heavenly Father, that my heart would be inclined to fear You and keep all Your commands always, so that it might go well with me and my children forever! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
God bless you muchly~ http://redeeminggrace991ministries.com
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