Isaiah 48:17 This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
    who teaches you what is best for you,
    who directs you in the way you should go.”

This clearly expresses the character of God’s commandments, but the ESV translation threw me for a loop: “teaches you to profit.” That makes it sound like God’s commandments are for us to make money! I like the NIV, “what is best for you,” and I have a feeling the Japanese is probably closest to the Hebrew, “what will be for your benefit.” In any case, the point is clear, and the next verse goes on to lament that Israel had not paid attention to what God was telling them. That applies equally to us today. The Bible points out time and time again that ignoring God results in our loss, but we are stubbornly self-centered. I’m reminded of the stories I heard of one of my sisters, who as a little girl would insist, “Selfie do it!” (That was of course well before the advent of cell phones and “selfie sticks.”) My mother had an expression for such behavior: “Independent as a hog on ice.” I think that captures the situation very well, because a hog on ice won’t be able to go reliably where they want to go, much less where anyone else wants them to go. If we want to get where is best for us, doing what is best for us, then we need to listen to the only One who really knows where and what that is. As John points out, “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3) It is when we rebel against God’s commands that we get into trouble. As Jesus told Paul, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (Acts 26:14) We need to listen eagerly for what God says to us, rejoicing that He cares about us and cares for us, desiring the very best for us. I’m reminded of the various videos on the Internet that show wild animals that have gotten caught in something, either natural or manmade, and their responses when people work to free them. Just yesterday I saw two that showed owls that had gotten caught, and how calm they were when they realized that the person was there to help them. I guess owls really are wise, after all!

I have certainly had my times of failing to listen to God, or of failing to seek His guidance in the first place. I’m reminded of the stories in the Old Testament where a king would ask a prophet what God wanted them to do, and then when the answer came, they said they would do something else anyway. I’ve been like that! It was a wonderful moment when I finally realized that God’s smart and I’m not. I have violated Proverbs 3:5-6 more times than I could begin to count! (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.) I’m in the business of telling others what God has said and is saying, so I’d better be listening obediently to Him myself! Right now I’m in a place of considerable uncertainly, planning to go to the US for the first time in 7 years, by myself, when a lot has changed in that period. Uber wasn’t a thing, the last time I was in the US! I need to stay calm and listen to the sources God provides, human or otherwise, and just rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, just as He told me to do, years ago now. I don’t know what each day will hold, but He does, so my focus needs to be on listening obediently.

Father, thank You for this clear reminder. Help me indeed listen to You accurately, today and each day, not just before and during this trip, but for the rest of my life, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!