At the ripe old age of twenty, I was in turmoil. Had I made the wrong decision? Was I on a wrong path? What should my priorities be? How do I know what to do? I had no peace. So I went to a small chapel on my college campus to pray. Maybe God would clear my thinking and give me an answer there. I quietly slipped into the empty chapel and begged God to tell me what to do. I was earnest, but I still had no peace. I felt like my prayers were bouncing off the ceiling. Why didn’t God answer? Didn’t he care? Finally, I gave up and got up. Disappointed, confused, discouraged, and frustrated, the last prayer as I left the chapel was, “Well, since you haven’t told me, you’ll just have to show me.” And I threw open the chapel door to exit. Gulp. There was the answer standing a few yards from me. It wasn’t what I wanted or expected, but relief flooded over me. Here was the clear answer I had begged for and I would step into it. God had heard after all. And he graciously made the answer so clear I would never be able to deny it. I walked over to the young man in question. We are still together fifty-two years later. All credit to the Lord.

Not only in our defining moments where crossroads decisions are made but also in our mundane days where attitudes are chosen, each step of our way God is present. We can choose to throw ourselves onto his loving care and cooperate with him by obeying his guidance in Scripture so he can bless us. This week I needed his comfort so I meditated on the fact that he is with us in our need,  fear,  uncertainty,  precious relationships,  milestones, and our joys. As I read passages in the Old Testament, I was comforted by the accounts of his close involvement in the lives of those who trusted him. Here are a few:

God directs our steps way beyond our own ability to find our way.
Who but God could arrange for the right girl to meet the servant who was seeking a wife for his master’s son? (Or in my case, put the right young man in precisely the right spot at the right time?)

“For the Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and my native land . . . He will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife there for my son.” Genesis 24:7

“How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you… Your own ears will hear him [the Lord].
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
whether to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:19, 22

When we choose to obey and walk on His path he helps us every step of the way.

“Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” Deuteronomy 5:33
“in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6
“The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them.“ Hosea 14:9

God can supply our needs by any means he chooses. He can bring aid from unlikely sources. Who but God would arrange for wild creatures and a starving widow to bring his prophet food in unlikely places like the wilderness and a foreign country?

“You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 1 Kings 17:4
“I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 1 Kings 17:9

Only God stays close beside us our entire lives. He never gives up on us or is too busy to listen to us.

“the God who has been my shepherd all my life, to this very day,
the Angel who has redeemed me from all harm . . .” Jacob on his death bed Genesis 48:15-16

“You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence. . .” Psalm 16:11

Serendipity, luck, coincidence, and even planning and hard work don’t tell the real story behind the scenes of our lives where God is lovingly directing.

“I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own.
We are not able to plan our own course.
So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle.” Jeremiah 10:23-24

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” Psalm 37:23

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9

We are not alone in difficulty. We are always accompanied.
Nothing is random. We are always moving toward a destination.

“Even when I walk
through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.” Psalm 23:4, 6

“Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.” Psalm 119:133

Our part is to love and obey God with our entire being. In this way, we cooperate with his wonderful plan for us.

“Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” Joshua 22:5

This list I made from some Scriptures I read is a balm for my soul:

God:

Shepherds us
Teaches us
Leads us
Renews us
Guides us
Refreshes us
Directs us
Delights in us
Stays close beside us
Protects us
Comforts us
Prepares a feast for us
Anoints us
Pursues us
Makes our path straight
Determines our steps
Corrects us
Makes our journey successful
Prospers and prolongs our lives
Plans our steps
Supplies our needs

We experience:
Peace
Righteousness
Life
Joy
Not overcome by evil
Truth
Blessing
Absence of fear
Goodness
Unfailing love
Rest
Renewal
Protection
Comfort

“She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” Isaiah 7:14