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“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25: 4-5 NIV)

Guidance. We all look for it in various stages of life – in selecting a college, when deciding whom to marry, in taking a job offer, having children – and the list goes on and on. The longer you have lived, the more guidance you have sought. Well, hopefully.

Whose guidance are we take? How do we know when we are getting the best guidance? What are we to do during those times we are in need of guidance?

David, in writing the Psalms, gives us excellent instruction as he prayed that God would do three things for him:

  1. Show. He wanted God to show him His ways. The words “ways” and “paths” are synonymous for the will of God. He desired that God inform him or announce His will to him. David was praying for God to reveal to him His will. David did not assume to know. He requested for God to show him. God’s will may not always be our will. Once He has shown us His will, change may be required from us. Only upon knowing and accepting His will can we then move onto …
  2. Teach. He wanted God to teach him His paths. David desired for God to instruct or train him in His ways. David understood that God is the Source of all truth. We must remain teachable throughout our lives. As we remain teachable, it is then that He is able to …
  3. Guide. He wanted God to guide him ”“ day by day, moment by moment. David, at this point, had learned and was aware of the full capabilities of his sinful nature. He knew he could not rely on himself. God is the only One that can lead us into His purpose and plan for our lives.

David prayed in this manner because “he knew that God’s ways are established in truth, or that which is firm and stable.” (taken from the Holman Old Testament Commentary ”“ Psalms 1-75, page 140). It is only as God shows, teaches and guides us that we are assured of His will.

In his book, “Partners in Prayer”, John C. Maxwell states this:

When God shows me, He has my heart. When God teaches me, He has my mind. When God guides me, He has my hand.

Today may we ask God to show, teach and guide us in His ways. I have found myself humming a portion of an old and familiar hymn from my childhood, which says …

He holds my hand; Jesus holds my hand
Safely to heaven he leads the way
He is my keeper from day to day
He holds my hand; Jesus holds my hand
Though the way may be long
But my Savior is strong.
And he holds my hand.

 

 

(This is an edited post from 2012.)

Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and True Story and Intentional Tuesday and #RaRaLinkup .