There’s a lady who used to live close to us and she had several dogs that she walked each day. There was one old dog that hated being on leash. I don’t know if he was just so old that he didn’t like to walk or if his feet and legs hurt or if he just didn’t like the leash, but his morning out was more dragging instead of walking. We felt badly for that dog each time we saw her pulling him along but it was a pretty good object lesson.
It reminded me of this conversation Moses had with the Lord.
“The Lord said, ‘I will go with you and give you peace.’ 15 Then Moses replied, ‘If you aren’t going with us, please don’t make us leave this place. 16 But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth.” Exodus 33:14-16 CEV
I see Moses saying “Lord if You don’t go with us, then they’ll have to take me, digging in my heels, and being dragged from here, cuz I’m not goin’ without You!”
Oh, for that kind of determination to be close to the Lord. Too many times, I have found myself running out ahead of the Lord and calling back for Him to hurry and catch up. Those are the times I find myself in situations that are not good for me. Those are the times I find myself asking the Father to rescue me once again.
How much better it would be it if I simply sat down and said I’m not going if You’re not. Period. End of conversation.
We get caught up in our own plans, defending our own reputation, making our way when we should be waiting on the Lord’s lead.
“…But now you will again see the Lord, your teacher, and he will guide you. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, ‘This is the road! Now follow it.’” Isaiah 30:20b-21
These last verses were a prophesy of John the Baptist and that he would proclaim the coming of Christ:
“Someone is shouting: ‘Clear a path in the desert! Make a straight road for the Lord our God. 4 Fill in the valleys; flatten every hill and mountain. Level the rough and rugged ground. 5 Then the glory of the Lord will appear for all to see. The Lord has promised this!” Isaiah 40:3-5 CEV
The Lord came to fill in our valleys and bring down the high places, to smooth out the rough and rugged ground. When we go where He goes we may have valleys and rough ground but He WILL make them straight and smooth. He will speak to our hearts telling us which way to go and how to get there.
We need to be determined that we won’t let our own ambitions, pride or desire for things lead us. We won’t let the enemy deceive us into following him.
Let’s dig in our heels and say, “Lord if You don’t go, I’m staying put!”