Psalm 119:1-8 (Message Bible), “You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by GOD. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, GOD, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me.”

Every one of us can get off course. We get distracted, frustrated, or confused and the next thing you know, you have stepped off the path, or taken a completely different one. Thankfully, God is merciful and we are only ever one step back. His mercies are new every morning. Every day is a clean slate, as long as we have repented of yesterday’s wrong doing. However, there are blessings when we stay on course. God’s plan was never for us to step on and off the path. In His great love, He never leaves us and continues to help us stay on track, but His perfect plan is for us to never step off to begin with.

Remember when you were a child? Then you know there were times when Dad and Mom did “know best”. They tried to warn us, or give us clear instructions, but we did things our own way, only to find out that there were consequences for our, dare I say, stupidity. Maybe you have youngsters around now, even teenagers, who can be some of the most stubborn people on the earth. You may have tried to guide them, but since they are flexing their wings, they still did something their own way and now you have to let them learn the lesson. It isn’t always life and death. The consequences sometimes are little more than being late for an appointment, or some burnt toast, but things could have been easier.

That is God’s plan for us. His way is best. Always. We will miss out on some things if we take our own way. According to Psalm 119 we will miss out on blessings for sure. He didn’t “prescribe” a right way to live just to see if we could obey, or because He loves watching us try to live up. He did it all because He knows what is best for us. Earthly parents may make mistakes. Maybe in some situations they, or we, didn’t know best. God is perfect though, and He can’t make a mistake! It’s impossible. So, His way is perfect.

Just being on God’s path doesn’t keep us from trouble. In fact Jesus promised us we would have some of that stuff.

John 16:33 (NIV), “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

There may be some obstacles along the way, but He promises to give us a way around or over each one. He has already overcome, He won. He is the one who declared, “It is finished.” We just have to walk in that victory.

I Corinthians 10:13 (NLT), “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

Not sure how to find that path? Just ask. He’s faithful. His word is a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path. It will point you in the right direction. He is there, not just beside you, in front of you, and behind you, but He is in you! Don’t hang your head, walk tall. Go in His strength. Be blessed.

Matthew 28:20b (NIV), “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”