Instruction

I used to watch my youngest son sit in the floor with a box of those building blocks that snap together. Of course, this was many years ago, but the memories are still clear to me. With his small straight back, his head tilted down, and his little hands so nimble, he’d assess, plan and arrange all those little pieces until he had a masterpiece. Afterward, I’d have to make sure that the sheet of instructions was carefully tucked away inside the box for future reference. “Mom,” he’d say, “I need the map. Let’s not lose that, shall we?” And I would smile primly and say, “Of course, son. We must certainly keep the map.”

I was always amused by his choice of words. As though every playtime was a journey, and the map of directions was crucial to attaining the destination. There should be no aimless meandering. Only clear purpose in the direction of a defined point of arrival. What a little man he was.

I guess some people are okay with wandering through life, letting it happen to them. I don’t see that as the way of God’s people, though. We’ve been given a book of instruction and direction and admonished to adhere to it.

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1 ESV)

In these verses, we see clearly that the law of the Lord is the pathway to fruitfulness and thriving and being known by Him, and the lack of attention to this instruction makes for drifting in the wind. Psalm 119:105 says the Word of God lights our path and reveals our steps. We truly do need to see where to go and how to step.

Dear One, how often do you refer to the map and instruction of God’s Word? Do you find it applicable to your life and to the choices you face? Does it lead you to Him? He gave it to you and to me as a revelation of Himself and a guide to His Kingdom. Let us be encouraged to spend time in His Word and meditate on His instruction. It will surely have an advantageous effect.

Until next week, beloved, abide in His Word and find yourself in Him.