Being in the Way
Posted on March 1, 2018 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call
Being in the way generally brings negative thoughts. As children, we’re frequently told to go play somewhere else because we’re “in the way” of what our parents might be trying to get done. But being in the way is often exactly where we are supposed to be.
We just started a new DVD study in our staff enrichment that focuses on the life of David. Right now we’re in the well-known story of David’s encounter with Goliath. As we’ve watched the DVDs, I remembered something I once heard someone say. David did not set out to kill a giant. David was sent by his father to deliver lunch, but because he was in a right relationship with God, he was the right man at the right time to face that giant.
God doesn’t always send us to conquer giants. Most of the time, we are simply going about our business when they appear, seemingly out of nowhere. But if the business which we are doing is God’s business – even if that’s something as ordinary as our daily tasks of raising a family, going to work, school, etc. – then we will be in the right place for whatever giant He allows to cross our path.
I hunted to find a verse that I heard many years ago. In Genesis 26, we read the story of Abraham sending a servant to his family to find a wife for his son, Isaac. In verses 26 and 27, after the servant found Rebekah, we read, And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.
The servant knew what his assignment was, and where he was to go, and trusted that as long as he was on the right path God would direct him. And He did.
There are a number of verses that tell us that we need our daily steps to keep us in the right way, on the right path.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 NIV
I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. Proverbs 4:11 NIV
I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, Proverbs 8:20 NIV
In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality. Proverbs 12:28 NIV
Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8 NIV
This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17 NIV
It’s not likely we’ll ever encounter an actual giant, but if we’re consistently walking in the way that God instructs us to go, He will guide, direct and provide all that we need for whatever we encounter along the way.
Ruth Schmidt
Ruth Schmidt has worked at America’s Keswick since 1985. She currently serves as Administrative Assistant to Bill Welte.