God is Your Pathfinder
Pastor Russ Benson
January 6, 2022
Read Proverbs 3:5-6
Life can be scary and the road ahead can be treacherous, especially when you do not know what lies ahead. But do you know what’s the good news in all of this? You have a pathfinder. For context, a pathfinder referred to a soldier in World War II that was dropped off in front of the team in order to prepare the way. The pathfinder would go in the midst of an unknown path and create one for the rest of the team to traverse through.
You have a pathfinder. God is your pathfinder. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” All you need to do is fully trust Him because He knows the way and will not lead you astray. He sees what’s ahead and is clearing the path for you to walk.
YOU NEED DIRECTIONS
A pathfinder knows the way forward. They are better than a physical map or even Google Maps. They guide the way forward and you are not left alone to figure out how to get to your destination. You don’t need to worry about whether or not you’re heading in the right direction or if you’re going in circles because the pathfinder will do that for you. The pathfinder already knows where they’re going. You must admit that you feel more comfortable heading to a place you have never been to knowing that there is someone right there next to you in the car or over the phone giving directions. You’re in good hands, and with God as your pathfinder, you’re in His hands.
The word of God urges you to trust the pathfinder, Jesus. Even when the path looks difficult or unknown, you must trust Him. You trust that you will see a new day every time you set your alarm for the next day. You trust that when you get on a plane, your pilot will get you to your destination. Automatically, you exercise a great deal of trust on a daily basis. But do you trust God just as easily?
Do you lean on Him to solve every single problem and to work things out? Proverbs 3:5 encourages you to trust the Lord with all your heart. Not half of it or some of it but all of it. You have to give God full control.
YOU NEED A LIGHT
It is really difficult to continue your life’s journey if you do not have the Light of the world in your life. John 8:12 reminds us of this. It says, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” You are guaranteed to walk in the light when you follow Him. You will not be led blindly, He will show you the way.
It is harder to navigate in the dark because your perspective changes. God wants to illuminate the entire path ahead of you. The pathfinder brings you light. You don’t need to go forward blindly. The light that the pathfinder brings is a revelation into the knowledge of God. It’s proper understanding. Your own understanding is dark and deceives you. This is why you are called to rely on His understanding.
God is urging you to turn on the light of revelation. How do you do that? You lean on and acknowledge the pathfinder. Acknowledge that your God is more than able to take care of everything. Take your eyes off the problem and set your eyes on Him. You are not alone in the storm. He is with you.
YOU NEED WATER
The journey can be tiring but God has promised that no matter how long or difficult it may be, He will sustain you. He will refresh you, but you need to stop to hydrate.
Have you ever noticed that during a marathon the runners stop at various points for water? When you’re running a marathon, you need to stop and get hydrated. When you’re on the journey, God wants to hydrate you and fill you up with refreshing streams of water. You need constant hydration.
God has promised rivers of living water to sustain you but you need to be connected to the source. Psalm 107:9 says, “For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” You need daily hydration in order to continue walking the path. You need to be in sync with God to survive this journey.
The pathfinder will guide you but you need to be able to keep up as you walk on the path. God will guide you, and as you hydrate by being filled with His word and presence, you will run and not grow weary, reaching your destination because the Author and Finisher of your faith goes with you.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
How do you find your way? Do you rely on your own senses? Are you trusting and leaning on God to direct all your paths?
How is your faith impacting what you declare? What are you saying? Start declaring with faith and change your confession.
