broken road

Psalm 129:4, "But the Lord is righteous; He has cut me free from the cords of the wicked."

There is an older Garth Brooks song called "Unanswered Prayers".  The gist behind this song is a boy that runs into his old high school girlfriend at a football game.  And at first look, those old feelings were stirred for a second.  As he talks to her, he realizes that she was, in fact, not all he had remembered or certainly built her up to be in his mind.  And as he looks at his wife, he thanked God for the "Unanswered Prayers" because his wife was the one who was the real deal...the good in his life.

Certainly, his old high school flame was not wicked...so, it's a little of a stretch but the point is still there and what hit home for me.  The psalmist is thanking God for the many times He had not let the people that were oppressing the Israelites have the ultimate victory over them.  God had used these TRULY wicked people for a season for His own purposes to teach the Israelites a lesson, but He always redeemed His people when they cried out for Him and returned to Him.

It caused me to reflect on the people or situations that God has withheld from me and to look at where I am now to see that it was all what led me to what was best for me.  And a great reminder that I really don't know what is best for my life in my own little myopic view because God has the BIG PICTURE in mind...and most importantly, my eternity.

There's ANOTHER country song (originally country, but now on the Christian stations...and sidebar:  it almost kills me that I'm using country songs here, because that is not my thing 😊 ).  It is "Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts (I DO love them, however).  Selah sings it on Christian radio.  The gist of it is that all the long lost dreams led her right to where she was suppose to be...in God's plan/will for her life.

So, that time when you are wanting something and God is withholding it...or walking through a tough season.  There is hope...ALWAYS.  God is working in those moments.  Look for His lesson, talk with Him.  He's blessing the broken road that is leading away from what is not best for you to what is GOOD.  Or, as Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (BTW...the lead singer for Rascal Flatts is a Christian brother).  "It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-vZlrBYLSU