By Esther Ogunbayeje
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: he leads me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake”. Psalm 23 verse 1-3
The green pasture is a place of provision, relaxation, comfort and safety. God is a good shepherd who always leads His children to the place of joy and glory.
But often, time people take things into their own hands and think they can have comfort without God or have comfort by their own efforts. In searching for the greener pasture, people do all sorts of things and go all sorts of places thinking they can make it without God’s help.
But the Bible asks Christians to commit their ways into God’s hand, that is, to allow Him to lead them. “Commit your way to the lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass”. Psalm 37 verse 5.
Why do people suffer untold hardship today? Why do people suffer unnecessary loss? Why do people put burdens unnecessarily on others because they want to make it? Why do people grope in darkness and walk in the desert, fainted with hunger and thirst?
According to the world of the hymn by J. Scriven “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer”.
God is the owner of the universe. The earth and everything belongs to Him. (Psalm 24: 1). Who knows where the gold is except God? Who lays the foundation of the earth? Who knows the best green pasture for every individual except the maker? Who can lead in the right path of life except the creator of the universe?
Without God’s help, every effort to succeed becomes labour, it becomes fruitless labour. “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.” Psalm 127 verse 1-2.
Without God’s light, one will search in vain for the earth’s riches. Truly, searching precedes finding (Matthew 7:7) but it is possible to search in vain if:
God is left out or left behind.
One searches for something at the wrong time e.g. searching for snow in the summer. One searches for something in the wrong place e.g. searching for snow in the desert.
One searches for something with the wrong instruments e.g. trying to find mineral resources under the ground with doctor’s stethoscope.
Searches with the wrong people e.g. asking an air pilot to assist you or give you guidance on how to mine gold.
Searches for green pastures with optical eyes without asking for God’s guidance. *Whoever seeks will only find when he/she allows God to guide. And God is a good Shepherd who will always lead to a place of provision.
God is omniscient, He sees everywhere. He knows everything and everybody. He knows you inside out; He knows the plan He has for everyone, He will never lead His children astray. He will never lead them in the wrong way. Instead, whenever and wherever, He leads to the right place.
In life, we all need guidance. Lack of guidance can lead to wasted efforts, time, resources and even life. We must let God direct our lives so we do not miss out on the good things He has for us. Those that God led never miss it e.g. He led Abraham’s chief servant to get good wife for Isaac Genesis 24; He led Isaac to prosperity in Gerar Genesis 26. Peter and the other disciples were also led to catch net-breaking fishes in John 21.
Read also: Many women deserted our church when I remarried- Apostle Madubukohttps://churchtimesnigeria.net/many-women-deserted-our-church-when-i-remarried-apostle-madubuko/
Why not let God lead you too? He is ever ready to guide you to every good things of life. He can lead you to fulfil your assignment. Therefore, pray for His guidance, be humble to follow His leading no matter how simple the instructions may look but obey and follow through because He will always lead you right, trust Him to the end because He will definitely take you to the green pasture- He will not abandon you on the way.
Finally, think positively and be creative- develop your talents and never despise it because this might be what God will use to take you to greater heights “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men”. Proverbs 18: 16.
Ogunbayeje wrote in from
C.A. C. United kingdom. She could be reached on +44(0)7988672933, +44(0)7478044454
estherami18@gmail.com