And as soon as the priests . . . set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off. (Josh. 3:13)

When I go on a road trip, I generally use my GPS. She usually steers me well, if I follow her directions exactly. If I don’t, I mess up! Oh, I know about that “recalculating” feature. Every time she begins rerouting me, I know I didn’t follow her directions exactly. But even so, she gets me there—sometimes just a bit delayed because of my choices.

The priests were to go first, ahead of all the others, carrying the ark of the covenant. This was God’s instructions. In fact, the Lord through Joshua, gave very explicit directions about the crossing so that the people would arrive safely on dry ground. I bet it was a bit scary for the priests to take that first step. And I wonder what would have happened if they hadn’t followed God’s instructions exactly?

God wants us to totally trust him. But sometimes we don’t believe his way to be right and perfect. And if we don’t live the way he spells out so clearly in his Word, we will get off course.

I like to think I have another GPS in addition to my one for road trips: God’s Perfect Solutions. And for that, I am infinitely grateful.

Trust that God’s ways are perfect.

Ann Shadduck is a retired, at-risk-student teacher and evangelical Christian.

© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.