I would like to make a remark or two to young people concerning these lines of a well-known hymn, “Choose the path, the way whatever seems to Thee, O Lord, the best.”
I suppose there is not a time in all life’s history when we are more apt to take the reins in our own hands and try to plan our lives for ourselves than when we are young. In love to your souls, dear young people, I speak as one who has often chosen my own way I do not say a wicked way. But how many things there are in life where we have to make a choice! I find today that young people are apt to think that they know all the answers. The thought of really committing their path unto the Lord and seeking the Lord’s direction is seldom entertained.
A relative, now with the Lord, moved to a city years ago for personal advantage. He got ahead, but he got into the world in his job. At one time he said to another, “I am very deeply involved in the world, and I wish I could get out, but I don’t know how.” Shortly thereafter the Lord took him home to Himself. He got out, but not the way he thought. Dear young people, seek the Lord’s direction in every move of your life!
I want to turn to the book of Deuteronomy. Remember that God, in speaking to the children of Israel, chose to direct everything for them. They did not have a choice as to the type of garment they wore the garment could not be composed of woolen and linen. They could not sow their fields with just any kind of seed. Why? Deuteronomy 7:66For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6) tells us: “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.” God chose for them because He chose them!
Then He says in verse 7: “The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: but because the Lord loved you, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” God had chosen them! Remember, dear brethren, it is not a matter of your choosing the Lord. He chose you! He set His love upon you! If He chose you, what a treasure then you must be for Him!
Now, if He has done all that, should we not be willing to let Him choose for us? I once heard a young Christian say, “I cannot bother the Lord with the little things.” The Lord is interested in all the problems of your life the little as well as the big. You can come to Him and seek His guidance in every one of them.
P. Wilson (Sierra Madre, 1964)