The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.”
Deuteronomy 17:16
When you’ve lost your way, what do you do? Before the era of easy-access internet, some people reverse their shirt as part of the superstition. Some ask around to find their way. Others, trace their way back to where they came from. But not with the Israelites. When God freed them from Egypt, God told them not to go back. Instead, their way to navigate the wilderness is to listen to God’s instruction.
In Deuteronomy 17:16, the Lord clearly told the Israelites not to go back to that place again. It is the same reminder for us today. We are freed by God from our sins, our vices, and our temptations. Let us not go back to our old ways of living. You might be caught lying or stealing before, but if you confessed, God has forgiven you. When confronted with a situation to lie or steal, say to yourself “not again.” If you were freed by God from the wrong relationship, when it knocks your door again, leave it closed and say, “not again.”
But, if you feel lost, even after surrendering your life to God, don’t pack up your things and go back to who you were. Instead, connect and listen to God. Let Him navigate your way. Wait for His instruction. He will give you direction. Sometimes it’s a green light. Other times He makes you wait. Don’t go back thinking there’s no other way because He might be saying, “In 300 meters, turn right.”