Scripture: “Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” – Micah 7:7
Observation: Like most of the prophets, Micah is grieved over the sins of the people, but realizes that deliverance comes from God, and He will be faithful to do so in His time. Micah is writing during a time when the threat of the neighboring Assyrians looms over them.
Application: There seems to be a common thread between both Christians and non-believers. That is, when danger is imminent, both groups turn to God for their salvation! I have several acquaintances, who don’t have any interest in God, that come to me asking for me to intercede for them in prayer when trouble rises. The same holds true for believers who find themselves following their own desires over those of God’s. When struggles become overwhelming, both groups know where to find their help and deliverance, no matter how much they insist they don’t need Him.
Letting God lead should never be a last resort, but I sometimes find myself in that exact situation. Most likely, being in control will be a struggle for me all my life, but I am more aware of it now than I was in years gone by. As I study more of the Scriptures and work to align my life more with that of Jesus, I tend to pay a little more attention to the Holy Spirit, and I am more apt to let go of the reins and let God lead me, but I’m still a work in progress and have a long way to go (Philippians 1:6).
It is amazing to think that the majority of us, Christians and non-Christians alike, believe deep down in our hearts that God knows what is best, is all-powerful, can do anything, and never makes a mistake, yet we still insist on our own ways before we turn to Him! As God often says in His Word, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” (Acts 7:51)
The good news is that God is a forgiving God. Psalm 86:5 states, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” He truly is the One who saves, delivers, and heals!! He is long-suffering, and patiently waits for His children to return to Him, even if it is again and again and again! God described Himself to Moses thusly, “…The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6-7).
When we finally accept that the best leader we could ever follow is God, He is ready to take that responsibility from us and lead us in the paths He has chosen for us. Proverbs 16:9 states, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” It is reassuring that a Christian can only wander away so far before God pulls Him back on the right path. In John 10:28, Jesus affirmed, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” God only allows us to go so far before intervening. However, it is much better to return sooner than later and not experience God’s discipline. Procrastination is not our friend when it comes to choosing God’s ways. However, when God does find the need to chasten us, we must remember that it is because we belong to Him, and He loves us. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth…” (Hebrews 12:6).
Let us endeavor to make 2026 the year we let God lead us rather than wait until we find ourselves so far from His will that the Lord has to intervene to admonish us in our folly.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for leading me even when I’ve been resistant. Help me to follow You every day in every situation. Please order my steps that I may walk worthy of what You’ve called me to do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling, "Come, follow Me!"
And we see where Thy footprints falling, lead us to Thee.
Footprints of Jesus that make the pathway glow;
we will follow the steps of Jesus where’er they go.
(from “Footprints of Jesus” by M. B. C. Slade)
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“Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”- Isaiah 48:17