The Names of God - I am the LORD Your God Who Leads You by the Way That You Should Go

 I am the LORD Your God Who Leads You by the Way That You Should Go

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 (NKJV)

From the time of man’s original sin in the Garden of Eden, God made a plan to redeem His creation and bring mankind back into an intimate relationship with Himself. We were created to “walk with Him in the cool of the day.” This was God’s plan at the start. Due to disobedience, man became disconnected with God, unable to fellowship with Him as “friend with friend.”

In spite of this “fall”, God set into motion a plan to undo the mistake of Adam by sending another “Adam” to gain forgiveness and pay the price for sin, which is death. When you read the Bible to see the measures taken by God to accomplish all which was needed to restore us back into right relationship, you see a majestic, orchestrated plan which spanned millennia.

One of the key pieces to this master plan was the nation of Israel, God’s Chosen People. Through Israel, God would bring a Savior, a Messiah, which would be the hope of Israel, and the rest of mankind.

While speaking through the prophet, Isaiah, God revealed another view of His nature and character by referring to Himself as “The Lord Your God Who Leads You by the Way That You Should Go.” For me, this demonstrates just how long-suffering and gracious God is to us. He has the ability to force us into a mold of His creation, and make us do exactly as He requires. He chose not to dictate our future and, instead, gives us a choice.

He promised He would “lead” us by the way we should go, but we would have to choose to take that path. He leads us by revealing the place of peace which, if we remain in it, will result in a life of fellowship with God, and the fulfillment of our God-given dreams. There is no better place.

There are some who believe in the strict interpretation of the word “predestined” found in scripture. These folks would have you think that every action you take, good or bad, is part of the “path” which you were born to fulfill. You have no choice in the matter.

I do believe we are predestined, but not to this degree. The word predestined simply means, “pre-horizoned,” which implies a beginning, but not necessarily an ending. Each of us are born into a specific time, location, and familial setting. Each one factors into the person we are, and the choices afforded us as we begin life. It does not, however, determine how we will live our life. That is dependent on our choices.

God’s “destiny” for every person born is to become conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus. However, that path is different for each one of us because we all start from different places. A female born into an Islamic family has a vastly different path than a male born into an affluent family. Race, ethnicity, economics, culture, and religion all play important roles in how we discover the truth about who God is, and the redemption available to us through Jesus Christ.

This is the path which will lead us to God, and He leads us down this path. We must choose to follow that leading. He accomplishes this by using people like you and me to share the Good News that God loves us, cares for us, and wants the best for each one of us. It is critical that we have a right understanding of who God is so that we can correctly and effectively communicate the abundant grace and mercy being extended to us, so others will be drawn to Him instead of repelled away from Him.

Take time to learn of the nature and character of God so you can enjoy the relationship available in Him, and so you can share this with others. Both of you will be better because of it.