[1]EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) — “Hey, lead foot, are you sure the speed limit is 95?” “Are you waiting for some particular shade of green?” “Are you tailgating or is that car towing us?” Backseat drivers feel the need to be in control.
Here are the truths we should be learning and affirming daily to keep us from becoming backseat drivers to God on the days life gets dangerous:
1. Remember Who’s been driving the longest.
“From of old” describes all of the following: God’s compassion and loving kindness (Psalm 25:6); the throne from which He rules (Psalm 55:19; 93:2); His kingship (Psalm 74:12); the time His ordinances have been in place (Psalm 119:52); the time He has been the only God (Isaiah 45:21); the time He has been our Father and Redeemer (Isaiah 63:16); the time Jesus has existed (Micah 5:2).
Is there any danger, any trouble, any situation or circumstance that God has not seen in His existence “from of old”? Isn’t that a good reason for you to trust Him today?
2. Remember Who knows the best route.
[2]When God rescued the children of Israel out of their slavery in Egypt, He did not lead them by the short route. It went right through “the land of the Philistines,” and God knew the Israelites would have retreated to Egypt in fear if they encountered these seafaring warriors. So He led them through the desert — and we have no evidence that God ever explained His actions until Moses wrote the Book of Exodus.
Have you learned that the path God chooses for you is the best one — even if He doesn’t explain why?
3. Remember Who has been down this road before.
The Book of Hebrews tells us that everything you and I experience in life has first been experienced by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15). In fact, we are told that, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).
If Jesus stayed obediently on every road the Father sent Him down, can He not help you learn obedience on similar roads?
4. Remember Who has never been lost.
On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion He said to His Father, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4). Jesus was sent into the world for a purpose (Mark 10:45; John 20:21; I John 3:8), and He never got lost along the way. In spite of severe obstacles, He reached His destination — the cross of Calvary.
Could not One with such singular focus guide you when you feel lost?
5. Remember Who never falls asleep at the wheel.
You and I might fall asleep at the wheel — but God never has. Elijah chided the prophets of Baal when their false god failed to show up on their behalf: “perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened” (1 Kings 18:27). Even when we grow weary, God’s eyes are always on the path (Matthew 26:36-46).
Are you willing to relax and enjoy the trip knowing that God is forever alert to your safety?
6. Remember Who has the perfect driving record.
All of God’s work is perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4); His way is perfect (2 Samuel 22:31); His knowledge is perfect (Job 37:16) — indeed, God Himself is perfect (Hebrews 4:15b). Never — not even once in the infinity of His existence — has God made a mistake or taken a wrong turn in the universe. And He will not mar that perfect record when guiding you.
Do you really believe you are going to be the person with whom God makes a wrong turn?
God is always with us, offering His perfect and all-knowing words of direction and correction. Let’s keep Him where He belongs — in the driver’s seat.
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David Jeremiah is the founder and host of Turning Point for God and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, Calif. For more information on Turning Point, go to www.DavidJeremiah.org.