HE LED THEM FORTH BY THE RIGHT WAY

 

FEBRUARY 2
 
He led them forth by the right way
Psalm 107:7
 

It was not the smoothest,
  or the shortest,
    or the one most frequent,
but it was the best.
 
It was the only right way.
 
He intended to prove them, and
  to display his wonders, and
  the way afforded an opportunity for both.
 
Thus it is with all his people.
 
He has marked out the way in his unerring wisdom;
  he guides them into it,
  he tries them by it,
  he leads them along it, and
    glorifies himself by doing so.
 
God's ways is always contrary to that
  which flesh and blood would choose.
 
We want ease, plenty, pleasure, and honor.
 
But the Lord intends that we shall have
  faith, humility, patience, fortitude, and
    confidence in himself alone.
 
His design is to empty us, and strip us, and humble us,
  and break us down before his throne;
   to endear the Saviour,
   sweeten the promises, and
   make the good land more desirable.
 
And this he effects by sanctifying the trials,
  the losses, the disappointments, and
   the troubles we meet with in the way.
 
Beloved, is yours a rough way,
  a trying path, a perplex road?
 
It is the right way.
 
The Lord leads you, and
  he never leads you wrong.
 
He brings into the wilderness before he
    brings into Canaan.
 

The way was right their hearts to prove.

To make God's glory known,

And show his wisdom, power, and love,

Engaged to save his own.

 
James Smith 1849