He Leads Me

Man’s goings are of the LORD;

how can a man then understand his own way?

(Proverbs 20:24)

What a thought-provoking statement and question!

There’s so much here. First, God is in control. He knows man. He knows me.

The question is rhetorical. We already know the answer. Since God is in control, how can man understand his own way? The answer: impossible!

The solution is found in one of my favorite Bible passages, Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

In my head, I started to sing this old hymn:

            He leadeth me:  O blessed thought! 

            O words with heavenly comfort fraught! 

            Whate'er I do, where'er I be,

            still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me. 

Chorus:

            He leadeth me, he leadeth me,

            by his own hand he leadeth me;

            his faithful follower I would be,

            for by his hand he leadeth me.

What a concept! God—the Ruler of the universe—cares enough about me—His silly and wayward child—to lead me where I need to go.

•  In the Old Testament, we watch God leading the Israelites day and night. He tells them where to stop and pitch their tents and shows them when to move on. By day, His presence and leadership is in a visible cloud, and by night, they see a fiery pillar leading them. And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night (Exodus 13:21).
• All through the Bible, we see the Good Shepherd leading His sheep. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand (John 10:11, 27-28).
• We have God’s Word to lead us. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).
• God Himself leads us. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day (Psalm 25:5).

What a wonderful, freeing thought—that God leads us and we can follow Him. He gives us all kinds of leadership, especially His Word. All we have to do is follow. 

It’s that simple.

Why do we complicate things?

My own experience is that God leads. Many times, when I have been at a crossroads (or coming up on one), I find that God is already there, that He has already prepared the way. When I’m in tune with Him, He has already made it easy for me to follow His leadership. He makes the next little step clear. And, that’s all I need.

I want to see the whole picture. I like being in control.

But God knows what’s around the next bend. And He leads.

My job is to trust Him and follow.

Why do I make it so hard sometimes? Why do I get anxious about what’s going to happen, when all I need to do is trust Him today?

I read a blog post this afternoon, which said, “Abide in Him today.” I needed that message. 

Tomorrow is of the LORD.

How can I then understand my own way?

I will trust in the LORD with all of my heart.

"He leadeth me: O blessed thought!"