Thy Way is Perfect

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long...

Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

For your name’s sake, O Lord,
    pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Who is the man who fears the Lord?
    Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose…
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
    for he will pluck my feet out of the net.” Psalm 25:4-5,8-12,15

The rocky trail wound and zagged, rose and dipped, ubiquitous roots crisscrossed underneath as scratchy limbs drew swords above. Staccato gait, steady stumbles, steady breath, steady climb. The summit beckons beyond.

And so our days and seasons. Sometimes the way is stony and sometimes the slope is steep. Effort and will are called for to set one foot in front of the other. Unsteady difficulties are stepped on, impossible to diminish or avoid, and sometimes they trip us up. Hard conversations, hurtful interactions, the despair of chaos and not knowing the way forward. We need the truth, we need forgiveness, we must keep on in God’s good rhythms. Steadfast love and faithfulness make clear the way we must progress. Trust Him, fear Him, search His way, He is enough for each new day.

For what do we keep on? It is not so much the summit reached as the One who’s made the path. It is skills learned, the journey traveled, the views enjoyed. It is the new knowing that along the Lord’s perfect way His portion is enough and His presence has become our familiar companion. For Him we wait, with Him we tread. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

What challenges threaten to choke us that require new muscles of faith or fortitude? Greater trust in the next turn or signpost? Where are we being stretched with unfamiliar contortions? What decisions, or individuals, or heartbreaks are we encountering that require God’s truth and direction? We can know the way for us is perfectly designed by an omniscient, loving Father to teach us His sufficiency. We can believe He hears our prayers and delights to answer. How does that ‘summit’ inspire?

“Long is the way

And very steep the slope;

Strengthen me once again,

O God of hope.

Far, very far

The summit doth appear;

But Thou art near, my God,

But Thou art near.

And Thou wilt give me

With my daily food

Powers of endurance,

Courage, fortitude.

Thy way is perfect,

Only let that way

Be clear before my feet

From day to day.

Thou art my portion,

Saith my soul to me

O what a portion

is my God to me!” ~ Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)

Lord, humble me, lead me by Your truth, and continually show me and help me on Your perfect way, for Your name’s sake and glory.