God's Word Is More Trustworthy Than Your GPS

Today I cancelled my appointments when I woke with a sore throat and swollen glands. In between resting and napping, I watched a youtube sermon ("The Holy Spirit's Power and Our Effort, Part 1") by Francis Chan, and another short portion of a sermon ("The New Middle Road") by him.  Two points from these messages stood out to me:

1. When God says in His Word for us to do something, what do we do? It's really very simple.  When we ask our child to go and clean their room, what if they come back a couple of hours later, and tell us they have memorized what we said to them? They can say it back to us in Greek.  They tell us they are having a few friends over and they are going to do a study on how to clean their room? Hmmm.
2. He compared God's Word and voice to your GPS.  We have made some wrong turns.  We hear God's voice saying, "Recalculating."  We need to look to His Word for directions and listen. He says, "I can still get you there.  It's going to take longer, but I can get you there.  But you have to listen to Me now."

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

"All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." Psalm 25:10 (emphasis mine)

My daughter drove all over the western suburbs of the city and out into the countryside today, using our GPS to direct her way.  We got a phone call about the time she was supposed to be arriving at her Bible Study tonight.  The GPS had led her astray, quite a ways from her true destination.  She was going to be about 15-20 minutes late.  We were able to help her find out where she was and how to get back to where she needed to be, but her "faith" in the GPS was a little shaken!


That is one problem we will never have when we rely on God's Word to guide us.  God will never lead us in the wrong direction or astray.  We can put our complete trust and confidence in what He tells us to do.  We can run in the direction He tells us to go!  He is utterly faithful.  His Word is sure.

"For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth...By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth...Let all the earth fear the LORD:  let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.  For he spake, and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast.  The counsel of the LORD standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations." Psalm 33:4,6,8-9, 11

Psalm 27:11 says, "Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies."  This is really saying, "Lead me in a plain path, because of those which observe me."  There are people following me, Lord.  Don't let me get lost, or go off in the wrong direction, because they will get off track, too!  And those who are observing me, will judge You, and Your ways, by watching the path I take.  Please lead me in a plain path for their sakes, and for the sake of Your Good Name, Lord.

"For this God is our God forever and ever:  he will be our guide even unto death."  Psalm 48:14