GENTLY DIRECTING

[ProgrammerHenry]

GENTLY DIRECTING

Psalm 117:2 - For his lovingkindness is great toward us; and the truth
of Jehovah endureth for ever. Praise ye Jehovah.

Nehemiah 9:17b - But you are a God who forgives; you are gracious and
loving, slow to be angry. Your mercy is great; you did not forsake them.


As I was sitting in a public area recently, I saw a beautiful picture
unfold before my eyes. A very tall dad walked in, with his very small
son walking slowly in front of him. As soon as they entered the
building, there was a choice of which way to go -- right or left. The
little boy started to head right, but the father walked up behind him,
gently took hold of his shoulders, and steered him to the left. The wee
son walked in the direction that the father steered him. I wonder what
the father would have done had the son determined to go the other way.
Would he have gently directed his son once again in the right direction?
If the little boy had decided to go the wrong way once again, I wonder
how many times the father would have been patient and directed his son
again and again.

I thought about how like Jesus that dad was. Jesus is gentle. He steers
us in the direction that He wants us to go -- in the direction that is
best for us.

Yet so many times, even after Jesus holds our shoulders and steers us,
we don't allow Him to do so. We jerk ourselves out of His gentle hands
and go the direction that we want to go. What does He do when we react
like that?

We have the freedom of choice. We can choose to go where the Father
directs us, or we can choose to go the way we want. Yet, we know that no
matter our choices, He is watching over us. He does care. He stands
patiently by and is so willing to direct us again and again if need be.

Lamentations 3:22 - It is by the kindnesses of Jehovah that we are not
consumed, for His mercies are not ended.

Let us ever be aware of God, the Father, directing us. Let's be willing
to be directed -- the very first time.