Have you ever heard the phrase, “Practice makes it perfect?” Well, there might be some truth in it, but it’s not all the way accurate. The truth is the right practice makes it perfect. If the method isn’t the right way, it’ll never lead you to have an ideal result.
That’s what Israelites were doing in the wilderness. They wrapped around the same mountains for 40 years! If you were a part of that group, do you feel like that’s more than long enough? The journey that they were on was supposed to take only 11 days. How did that happen? Was there anybody who thought they were doing the same thing and on the same path every day? If you experience the same thing every day, you might want to stop and think. But it went on for 40 years. God spoke through Moses,
You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north. – Deuteronomy 2:3 NIV
Every New Year, many people make their new year resolutions. You might be one of those people that repeating the same goal that you made last year again. “This year!” Your hope and courage have renewed as you have stepped into a new year. However, if you stepped in with the same method, attitude, thinking pattern, and practice that made you fail, you’ll probably end up at the same place you were.
God said to the Israelites that they did the same thing long enough for 40 years, so it’s time to change the direction. They did their wrong practice long enough and didn’t make any better results.
Do you see the same kind of happenings in your life? It could be your physical problem, emotional issues, mind problem, marriage issues, your ministry, your career, addictions, habits, and whatever you want to see out. If so, it might be time to change the direction.
If God could lead the Israelites out of the wilderness and lead them to the promised land, why couldn’t He lead you to the right path? God brings many turning points in your lives because He doesn’t want you to stay there forever. But it’s on you to acknowledge it and follow His lead.
What leads you to change the direction?
1. Now turn north!
God wants you to look up! He wants you to turn Heavenward instead of going around the same mountain in one direction. And that’s where your help comes from.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
2. God is patient with you
God is patient. His mercy and grace help you to live the life He intended you to live.
The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything. – Deuteronomy 2:7 NIV
You might ask, “Where was God when I was struggling?” He was with you all the way. He kept you from dying even though you weren’t following His direction. Now, you are about to make a new decision to follow His lead. He knows you’ll make many mistakes on the way. But He is patient. That’s why you can change the direction with confidence.
3. God promised you the victory
Rise up, take your journey, and pass over the Valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it and contend with him in battle. – Deuteronomy 2:24 AMPC
You can change the direction because God promised victory when you do it in His way. You can conquer the battle only when God’s in it and you are doing it in His ways.
Live with Purpose 
Leave a Reply