“‘But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. 13 Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!'” Psalm 81:11-13 (ESV)
God miraculously delivered the people of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. They witnessed the ten plagues of Egypt as orchestrated by God. He enabled them to cross the Red Sea on dry ground and supernaturally provided them with manna from heaven in the morning and quail in the evening. God quenched their thirst with water from the rock and their clothes did not wear out. However, they did not listen to God’s voice, they would not submit to Him, and they refused to walk in His ways.
- “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 (ESV)
- “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
To walk in God’s ways, you must know Him personally by transferring your trust from yourself to Jesus alone for salvation. Once you come into union with Christ, you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in His ways. Walking by the Spirit is synonymous with walking in Christ. To walk in God’s ways is to walk as Jesus walked and to do what Jesus did.
As you read and feed on God’s Word, you will learn what God values and what God hates. You will discover God’s will and you will detect God’s agenda. Align your life with the heart of God and submit to His authority. Walk in His ways!
Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 118: Psalms 81, 88, 92-93)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell