Train stations in Japan often list stops in both Kanji and English. This one did not. The longer I stared at the sign, the more it mocked me.
Finally, I asked the woman standing next to me: “Do you speak English?” “A little,” she said. She understood where I wanted to go and motioned for me to follow her. We got on a train, and she drew a map with the stops listed in English and Japanese. Then she took me to the correct line for my transfer. She didn’t just tell me the way; she showed me the way.
When God brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, He didn’t merely tell them which way to go; He showed them the way with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:20-22). The people, however, repeatedly refused to trust their Provider-God. They hardened their hearts and rebelled against Him (v.8; Psalm 95:7-8). The consequences were disastrous. Their “corpses lay in the wilderness,” said the writer of Hebrews (3:17).
Today, God shows us the way through the guidance of His Word and the illumination of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). Yet we too can stubbornly ignore His step-by-step guidance. That’s why Hebrews says of those disbelieving Israelites, “Because of their unbelief they were not able to enter His rest” (3:19). Then the author draws a clear distinction: “They didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter His rest” (4:2-3).
Not finding the right train route is a mere inconvenience. Knowing our ultimate destination in life and yet refusing to follow it is a mistake with eternal consequences. The question to ask ourselves is this: Are we among those who believe?
More:
Read Psalm 78 for fresh insight on the stubbornness of human nature and the goodness of God’s character.
Next:
Disobedience, worry, and ingratitude are indicators that you’re not believing in God. In what ways does your life show that you believe in Him? Do you see patterns of unbelief?
Felicia on December 30, 2009 at 12:35 am
Sometimes i feel that, even though, i no the right way to go, it is so much easier to do what you want or go the way you want. why is it always so hard to follow the ultimage destination, especially when you know that is wha God wants you to do………..i want to follow the path the God has sent for me but so many times i let certain things change my path why is that why do we sometimes do things, why is so hard to do right and so easy to do everything else
rantiorioke on December 30, 2009 at 3:35 am
Man is by nature-the one we inherited from Adam wants to be indepedent of God and God has not permitted Himself to force us against our wills. His is to show us the right from the wrong. What we choose to do thereafter is our choice
It is the preence of Holy Spirit (The Guide) in a life makes such life to be sensitive to the of the Spirit
myron on December 30, 2009 at 7:42 am
For along time i ran wift the wrong crowd
and knew it, it seem hard for me to trun back to
christ so this time i will not trun back to the
ways of the world
shayskin on December 30, 2009 at 9:28 am
:the way to rest” is following the best
Thank u for this piece
I have been around long enough to know better but sometimes I make mistakes But God is always there to keep me safe from harm and danger
I now wake up with the Lord on my mind so I do the right thing pray and read the Bible everyday before i start my day