I have been walking through the book of Isaiah for the past month or so. It’s been awhile since God and I took a journey through this book. It’s one of my favorites. It’s deep. It’s rich. I get something new and important every time I pick it up. I must identify with God’s people during Isaiah’s lifetime. We have much in common, which isn’t necessarily a good thing!
Today I got a little flashback to my childhood days. Do you remember playing “Follow the Leader”? What a great game…as long as you were the leader anyway. I loved being out in front and blazing the trail. Following was okay once in awhile, but being the leader was where it was at!
I remember one summer climbing a 14K mountain with my uncles. Naturally, they took the lead because they were the adults. I lagged behind…far behind. It annoyed my uncles because they had to keep stopping and letting me catch up. Until finally my uncle stopped and told me to take the lead. He let me set the pace. And everything changed. All of a sudden I was way out in front; they had a hard time keeping up once I got in front.
What’s the point? Just this: It’s my naturally tendency to take the lead, but that doesn’t really work in my spiritual life…
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea. (Isaiah 48:17-18, NLT)
God says I’m supposed to let Him lead. He knows the way. And the problem is that when I do what comes naturally—when I take the lead myself—then I get too far ahead of Him and miss the path I should follow. I think I know the way, but I don’t. I need to let God take the lead. I need to follow The Leader.
The benefits? Says right there in the passage: Peace and Righteousness. I could use more of both!
