Letting God Lead Devotions #17 – Is Your GPS Working?

Scripture: “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” – Isaiah 30:21

Examination: Isaiah is reminding the Jewish people that they have strayed from the Lord. He warns them that until they repent and return, they will continue to have struggles, but if they repent and call upon God, He will hear them and save them.

Application: Being lost is no fun. In fact, it is very frightening. I remember hiking once in a national park, and somehow my husband and I got off the main trail. He wasn’t worried at all, but it was late afternoon, and my mind conjured up all sorts of scenarios, the least of which had us spending the night alone in the woods! As I walked, I was so thankful for the occasional sign that was posted, pointing me toward the main trailhead. It’s good to have proven directions to follow toward one’s destination!

Another time, I was driving home, but somehow I found myself in unfamiliar territory! My phone’s signal was too weak to call, and I had no GPS at the time. I had no idea which way was home! Fear threatened to overcome me! I finally got a decent phone signal and called my son-in-law who guided me to the main road leading me home. Whew!

Just like following a trail or navigating through an unfamiliar place for the first time, it’s easy to get lost when we are trying to follow God. There are many distractions, some sinful, some not, but nevertheless, we get off track. It’s good to have a spiritual “GPS” or as some have said, a “God Positioning System”.  Here’s how to let God lead you without any detours!

• Engage your spiritual GPS
  • We must examine ourselves for unrepentant sin. Holding on to sin, rationalizing it as acceptable, or simply ignoring it, is not following the Lord. Sin is a barrier that we erect between ourselves and God when we harbor it in our hearts. 1 John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
  • God desires to forgive us and reconnect with us, but the first step is up to us. We must seek His forgiveness, and then Psalm 103:12 becomes our reality, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
  • Now, we are on our way!
• Input the destination
  • We must know where we want to go. We all know the right answers to the question, “Do you want a closer walk with God?”, but in order for your GPS to work, you need to be sure of your planned destination. That requires some intense and honest self-examination.
  • It’s so easy to want to take a detour to see some other “attraction”, but is that the best route for your life? Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Do you really want a closer walk with Jesus? If so, set your GPS accordingly.
• Listen to SIRI, the “Spirit In Residence Inside”
  • Sometimes my car’s GPS takes me down roads that I never would have thought would come out where I hoped, but as long as I followed the audible directions, I ended up in the right spot. We have a spiritual leader dwelling within us. That is the Holy Spirit of God.
  • When we are tempted to sin, the Spirit of the Lord cautions our hearts with His Word. Jesus stated in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” When His Spirit opens my eyes to the sin, I can choose to follow His leading or head out on my own. And even when I do sin, He constantly reroutes me back to the way of truth according to God’s Word!

Finding the way to God is not difficult; He paved the way through His Son, Jesus Christ. However, staying on the godly path requires more effort and intent on our part. Satan, the world, and even ourselves constantly create detours that threaten to pull us away from the Lord. As 2026 unfolds, keep your GPS turned on and pay attention to your own SIRI as you let God lead you with His grace and mercy!

Memory Verse: “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:3

I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back; no turning back.

If no one joins me, still I will follow; if no one joins me, still I will follow;
If no one joins me, still I will follow; no turning back; no turning back.

The cross before me, the world behind me; the cross before me, the world behind me;
The cross before me, the world behind me; no turning back, no turning back.

(from “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” by Simon Marak)