Thy Way; Not My Way

THY WAY; NOT MY WAY

“Make Thy way straight before my face.”-Psalm v. 8.

DEAR FATHER, this cry is going up to Thee, this morning, from many a tried and perplexed soul, who is fearing to “wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. “Wilt Thou graciously bend down Thine ear, and listen to their prayer, and grant the desired direction and guidance?

     “Make Thy way straight.” Dear Lord, it is not that Thy ways are ever crooked or deviating, but that my eyes are bent on seeing pleasant little bypaths, where the road is not so rough, or the walking so toilsome, as on the King’s highway! My way looks so enticing, so easy, so agreeable to the flesh. Thy way means self denial, taking up the cross, and the relinquishment of much that my heart desireth. Are not these very things the guideposts which show me the right road?

     Now, dear Lord, hear my cry, “Make Thy way straight before my face.” Compel me, by the power of Thy love and Thy example, to go in the narrow road; ” hedge up my way with thorns,” rather than that I should take a step out of Thy way which Thou hast laid down for me.  

     What if, sometimes, there be mists and fogs so thick that I cannot see the path? T’is enough that Thou dost hold my hand, and guide me in the darkness; for walking with Thee in the gloom is far sweeter and safer than walking alone in the sunlight! 

     Dear Lord, give me grace to trust Thee wholly, whatever may betide; yielding myself up to Thy leading, and leaning hard on Thee when “fears shall be in the way.” Thy way for me has been marked out from all eternity, and it leads direct to Thyself and home. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on the joy set before me, and deliver me from the very faintest desire to turn aside, and linger in the flowery meadows which have so often lured the feet of poor pilgrims into danger and distress.

     Father, Thou hast said, “My ways are not your ways, neither are My thoughts your thoughts.” Truth, dear Lord ; but then Thou canst uplift my thoughts to Thine, and exalt my ways till they reach the mountain-top of obedience to Thy blessed will. Work this miracle for me this day, O Lord; use that sweet compulsion which will delight my heart while it directs my steps ! Make me to run in the way of Thy commandments, and I shall run gladly, with the blessed certainty that I shall reach the goal at last! Hast Thou not given me a monitor within, which strikes a gentle warning note when my feet turn but an instant from the straight way?

But, best of all , dearest Lord, come Thyself with me along life’s road, today and everyday! Let the abiding of my soul in Thee be so real and constant, so true and tender, that I may always be aware of Thy sweet presence, and never take a single step apart from Thy supporting and delivering hand!

“O come, for Thou dost know the way:
And, if to Thee I cannot move,
Remove me, where I need not say,
“O come, my Lord, my Love! ”