Are you troubled because the goals you want to reach always seem to elude you? Do you sometimes wonder how the path you are walking can be God's way, when you seem to be going only in circles and one obstacle after another blocks your progress? If you have placed your life in God's hands, trust Him completely.

The strange, roundabout march of Joshua illustrates that God sometimes accomplishes His purposes in mysterious ways. He may not lead us in obvious paths when He intends to show His power.

Scottish pastor and author George Matheson (1842-1906) wrote, "There are times when I get work to do, the good of which I cannot see. Sometimes . . . there is put into my hands a trumpet when I think it should be a sword. Sometimes I am sent on a long circuitous march when I am expecting to be retained for the assault. These moments are very hard for me. . . . Help me at such moments, O Lord, to say, 'One step enough for me'!"

We are not to ask, "Why the long march when we could be fighting the battle?" "Why the noisy trumpet?" It is enough to know that God is leading. Although we cannot always see the promised land, yet we may trust the guidance of the promised Hand.  — Henry G. Bosch