With the passing of each new day and as we reflect on years past, it is very apparent that things have changed.

Change isn’t always a bad thing. If you get a raise at work, that is a change to improve your financial circumstances. If you raise a family and see your children grow up to become successful adults with a family of their own, then that is a change in the family dynamics for the better.

Unfortunately however, positive change is not necessarily the norm. This country has most certainly changed, but I’m sad to say this change is not for the better. We’ve seen crime on the increase. Moral values and ethics have almost been eliminated. And what I feel is a tragedy, the judicial system has compromised beliefs and no longer judges based on the core beliefs that this great country was founded on. The foundation of this nation once was solid but now it has been altered. All I can say is you better know what it is you are doing when you change a foundation because if you do not, then the whole structure will fall. As we look at this world as a whole, it is not getting any better. But in spite of this, I’ve got good new for the Christian!

In Joshua chapter 3, I read the story where the children of Israel were crossing Jordan and going in a direction that they had never went before. This spoke to my heart because here in America it seems as if we are going in a direction that we have never ventured before. Just as we do today, as God’s children, they faced obstacles. Their journey wasn’t one of ease and comfort but rather one of hurt as well as happiness, trials as well as triumphs. Life is this way. We are not always shouting the victory but thank the Lord we are not always crying the blues. But always remember, no matter what condition you are in, the Bible says to always give thanks and remember we have a divine overseer.

As the Israelites traveled, they had specific instructions to follow. They were told when they saw the Ark of the Covenant, the priest and the Levites bearing it, that they were to get up and go follow it. This is good advice for us today. You see the Ark of the Covenant represents the presence of God. So what we see here is the people were to get up and move towards the presence of God’s glory.

Let me ask you, when was the last time you were in God’s presence? Does God really meet you at your place of worship? Does God’s presence cause you to want to move closer to Him? Do you see Him work in your life and change your attitude, actions, and where there was a life of emptiness, now there is a life of purpose and hope?

My desire is to get closer than I’ve ever been to God. I won’t have to worry about the direction we are heading if I’m following after God. He never leads astray! He will never lead us down the wrong path of sin and His directions are always right! By following God, He will take us as believers to new heights and we will see the Lord do amazing things among us. Although we are heading “down here” in a wrong direction that we may not understand or agree with, I’m glad with God we are heading in an “upward” direction and one glad day our journey will be over and we will be at home with Jesus. Until next time, follow Jesus and God bless you.

Tune in to WBCU 103.5 FM Sundays at noon for the Shining Light Broadcast. I preach a 15-minute message that I pray will be a blessing to those who listen. If you have a prayer concern, comment, or question, please write to: Voice of Victory, Attn: David Burrell, PO Box 1221, Pacolet, SC 29372 or e-mail me at daveburrell@live.com.