“And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.” (Psalms 107:7)
It seems David is writing about the Israelites because in verses 4-6 he writes about them wandering in the wilderness, hungry and how they cried out to the Lord and He delivered them. The Lord God did deliver them even after their murmuring and complaining. Here we have an example of the faithfulness of God. He fulfilled His promise to lead them and to bring them to the Promised Land.
The way was filled with many perils and many tests of their faith. Each time the situation looked hopeless, but God always delivered them. He parted the Red Sea when there was no other way to go but across it. (Exodus 14:10-30) He made the bitter water sweet at Marah to quench their thirst. (Exodus 15:22-25) He sent the manna when they were hungry. (Exodus 16:1-35) He brought forth water from a rock in the wilderness of Sin when there was no water to drink. (Exodus 17:1-7) Amalek came against them but the Israelites defeated them. (Exodus 17:8-16) But at Canaan their doubt and fear to take the land caused them to wander 40 years more in the desert until that generation died. (Numbers 13-14:38) But the Lord God fulfilled His promise and 40 years later, the Israelites come to the promised land even after the death of Moses. (Joshua 1:1-4)
Our journey here on this earth is very similar. We have a city of habitation promised to us, an eternal habitation. Jesus said, “In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3) And as we live our lives here on earth, we go through many trials. Jesus told us that in this world we would have tribulation. (John 16:33) That word tribulation means affliction, anguish, burdens, persecution and trouble. There’s no escape from it. And just as God told Joshua to be courageous in taking the land, Jesus tells us to take courage. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) We are promised peace in the midst of our trials. The word that was translated “cheer” in this translation means courage in the Greek. So, in the midst of tribulation, we are to be courageous, knowing Jesus has overcome the world.
This is the testing of our faith much like the testing of the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. Do we believe Jesus or not? Can we truly have peace when the way looks impossible? In John 14:1 Jesus tells us to believe in Him. Believe in Him when it looks like all is lost, when there is no way, no relief or no help. The Lord told Paul, “... My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) When we can’t, God shows His might and power over all powers, visible and invisible. God glorifies Himself by showing up. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, “Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1Corinthians 10:9-13) And that is how we should look at every tribulation, affliction, anguish, burden, persecution and trouble. This is a temptation to fail God, to speak unbiblical words, to lose faith or to give up. But Jesus told us to be courageous. (John 16:33) Speak God’s Word and God’s promise. Believe Jesus. And no matter what it looks like stand firm that God’s will, will be done. Even if the outcome is not what we want, when God’s will is done, it’s always the best for us. And just as He led the Israelites by the right way until they came to a place to live, He will lead us by the right way until we come to our place of eternal habitation.
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