by leaps and bounds

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119: 105).

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Whenever you turn to the right hand or wherever you turn to the left (Isaiah 30:21).

So many voices! So many thoughts! So many opinions! What do they serve to do? They serve to distract us from moving straight ahead in our relationship with God.

We can become overly concerned with politics – forgetting that the Kingdom of God is not tied to this world. We can become worried about economics – forgetting that God Himself is our source. We can become fearful regarding events that are happening all around us – forgetting that God’s Word says, “In the last days perilous times will come.”

In Deuteronomy 5:32, God told Moses, “You shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” God was saying, “Do what I say. Go straight ahead. Don’t let anything distract you from the path before you.” We would do well to follow these directives.

Really it is very simple. God’s Word is our road map. Anything contrary to His Word is not for us. Romans 3:4 says, …let God be true, but every man a liar…” Knowing this helps us tune out the voices that should not matter.

If God’s Word is our road map, the Holy Spirit is our guide. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: For he shall not speak of himself; but will show you things to come.” (John 16:13)

What voice should we pay attention to? The voice of the Spirit is our guide. He will speak to us through God’s Word. He will speak to our hearts and minds. We just need to listen.

So, let us not be distracted by all the noise. God’s Word and the voice of the Holy Spirit will keep us moving straight ahead.

---

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.