Directions
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. – Psalm 19:8
Not too long ago, an old friend and I decided to have lunch together. We had not seen each other for years, and I was
not sure I could find my way to her house, but my husband got online and looked up exact directions to her place beforehand. I had a vague idea of
where I was going, so I did not look closely at the directions until I was in the car and on my way. As I passed the freeway entrance going north I
thought, I should turn there. But the web instructions took me in the opposite direction, so I went south, miles and miles out of my way, until I realized
that I was never going to get to my friend’s house if I continued in that direction. I turned around and found the freeway entrance going north, and
inched my way there based on the mental impressions that remained from years ago. As it turned out, I was “only” twenty-five minutes late. If I had
not left work as early as I did to go to this lunch, I would have missed it altogether.
In this situation, I had put my confidence in an online map to the point of doubting myself. We had used that same site many times and never received incorrect
information. Yet, it was obviously fallible, like everything else that is made by man.
There is one Source, though, that I can honestly say has never given incorrect directions, and that is the Word of God. There are times I have doubted
what the Bible said, made wrong turns, and consequently never come across my desired destination. But that only proved that I am fallible. However,
it always amazes me that when I turn around and head back to where I made a wrong turn, God is still there, waiting for me and ready to lead me in
the right direction.
In today’s focus verse, the phrase “enlightening the eyes” implies that during the moments in life when we do not understand, we can be confident that
the Word of God will help us to see and comprehend. The Word does not change. The way does not change. The statutes of the Lord are always right, and
when we follow God’s way, the destination is sure.