Prone to Wander

In the New Journey post, we spoke of pivotal moments in our lives that change the way we were accustomed to living.  They prepare the way for the putting off of things that stood in the way, and initiate the beginning of good, Godly habits.  These Godly habits become a vital part of the routine life, which also simultaneously provide for, and sustain our inner spiritual being. 

As the individual consistently engages in these Godly habits, the heart increasingly becomes prepared to receive, creating the perfect environment for God’s presence.  Again, his presence is the ability of hearing his voice in times of stillness, from the word. Christ explains the word, providing spiritual insight and understanding. On the spiritual journey, Christ emphasized that we are like sheep, and he is the shepherd.  
 
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27 NIV)
 
For the sheep, hearing his voice not only provides a sense of security, but also gives direction.  That’s why listening for the Shepherd’s voice continuously, prevents it from drifting out of the right way, as it is prone to doing.  It is a dangerous thing for a sheep to lose its way.  It becomes subject to prey and starvation.  

The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. (Pr. 21:16 KJV)
 
Salmon, known as the wisest man, admits  

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. (Pr. 14:12 NIV)

He discovered that all the wisdom of man, remains insufficient in navigating oneself on the right way.  

The psalmist claims:

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous:…

Notice: the Lord knoweth the way, NOT, the righteous knoweth the way

… but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Ps.1:6 KJV)
 

When pondering over the lives of the most influential leaders of the Bible, they all relied on his divine presence for direction and not their gut instincts (earthly vision).  When Moses was first called into leadership, he made a request:

Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way…( Ex. 33:13 NKJV)
 
But the Lord’s response was …
 
…”My Presence will go with you”…(vs. 14)
 
His request was denied, corresponding with: you will need to rely on me continuously, to navigate your way.
 
Joshua (Moses’ successor), instructed the Israelites to watch for the Ark of the Covenant (symbolic of his presence) and follow it. When it moves you move.  
 
 …that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before. (Jos. 3:4 NKJV)

The only way to make progress and move forward on the spiritual journey is His Presence.

 
 
 
 
Supporting texts

Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy…(Ps 16:11 KJV)

For "you were like sheep going astray," but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Pe. 2:25)
 
For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths. (Pr. 5:21)
 
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily…(Pr. 8:34 KJV)
 
Though compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. (Ps. 139:3 KJV)