It is a fact that as a man matures in the journey of manhood, he's faced with the immense and what at times seems to be an overwhelming sense of responsibility. I remember holding the phone to my ear speaking with a pediatric physician hearing my two-day old son scream in the background as a spinal tap was being administered into his spine. After birth, he experienced complications that prohibited him from coming home with us. For what seemed to be an eternity for us, we had to wait seven days before we could bring him home with us. It was during that season that the impact of my role as a husband and a father hit me like a freight train. It was clear to me in that season that the stakes in life are really high.
Every man finds himself in the place where he's faced with a situation that requires a clear leading and great moving of God on his behalf. What feeds the intensity of the hour is that the impact of the decision carries direct corporate implications. Whatever the outcome might be, it will directly impact my wife, my children, my church, and the lost in my sphere of influence. It is here that we long to know "Which Way Lord?"
Psalm 25 was written by David and it addresses this question very clearly. The word "way(s)" appears four times in the chapter and the chapter includes phrases like:
- teach me thy paths
- Lead me in thy truth
- The meek will he guide in judgment
- All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
As always, the problem resides with me and not God. While the situation might seem complicated and overwhelming, it really is simple in the mind of God. Confusion and hopelessness are the work of Satan and are extremely effective when the child of God presents them with a door of opportunity.
Regarding the question of "Which Way Lord?" in times of crisis, the overwhelmingly simple answer is spelled out for us as clear as the sun on a sunny day in verse 12:
Psalm What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! How simple? It is reverence that holds the answer key to the question "Which Way Lord?" Men, there is a lesson to be learned here. Before clarifying that lesson, let's makes sure we're on the same page regarding to the term "reverence."
The Webster's Dictionary of 1828 defines reverence as fear mingled with respect and esteem. This is precisely what David has in mind in verse 12. In other words, the man that feareth the LORD is a man who in his heart, takes God the Father very seriously exalting God above everything including himself. This type of man agrees with David when David asked "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? (Psalm 8:4)" That type of question derives from a right perspective which sees and embraces God for who He is. When that happens one is only left with the question, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?"
The stakes are high and decisions have to be made and we desire to make the right ones. But the lesson learned from Psalm 25:12 is that the bottom line is not "Which Way Lord?" The bottom line is who is God to you? Whenever your bottom line is anyone or anything other than GOD, you're thinking in and will land in a wrong place even if you achieve your desired outcome.
Some will read this and still ask "So, which way do I go?" The point is this, when God is who He should be as well as where He should be in your mind and in your heart, the answer to that question will answer itself.
