“Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths.” Psalm 25:4
One of the great blessings of the life of faith is that God literally guides the believer. It is not just an issue of His sovereign hand working in circumstances to bring about His purposes, but to personally teach and lead the believer. How does He do this?
The first thing we see in Psalm 25 with regard to guidance is that the psalmist is very conscious of Who and What God is, but also, of his own need to be taught and led. There is also the position taken of specific faith in God. “Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in Thee.” (25:1,2) Here is a man who sees God, not as an option in his life, but the very Essential for every need. Jeremiah also would confirm the same perspective of God, and his own helplessness by writing: “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is NOT in man that walks to direct his steps.” (Jer. 10:23) By implication, and declaration, Jeremiah is proclaiming that the Lord alone is able, and willing, to meet man in his limitations of sight, sense, and wisdom. For both the Psalmist and Jeremiah, the discovery of the first and primary truth of being led is the same: God ALONE can lead man, who is helpless, and hopeless, not possessing the capacity “…to direct his steps.”
The second truth that is essential to see and grasp, if one will truly trust God to lead, is that of God’s desire, willingness, and patient waiting, to do so for the one who will trust Him. The Lord’s promise to the Psalmist is: “I WILL instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I WILL guide thee with Mine eye.” (Ps. 32:8) Here is a promise of God which reveals his desire, will, and commitment to teach and to guide. Shall we not believe it? The Apostle James would write, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and is shall be given him.” (1:5) What does this tell us of the intent and will of God with regard to giving wisdom, leading and guiding? The eternal God, who alone knows the specific wisdom that we need, is waiting to give it by the Spirit, and according to His word. Paul, the Apostle, would write to the believers at Colosse: “…(we) do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” (1:9) Here is the very God of David, Jeremiah, James the Apostle, and of Paul, who is also our Guide, Shepherd, possessor of all wisdom, gracious and merciful, desiring to reveal the way before us. How shall we trust Him?
David asks the question in Psalm 24:4: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?” The answer was: “He that has clean hands, and a pure heart: who had not lifted up his soul to vanity or sworn deceitfully.” There is no hiding from God what is truly in the heart. So, where the heart is honest, and true, and all known sin is pardoned and forgiven, there is a confidence that God gives to come into His presence, drawing near unto this blessed Guide. The discernment that God gives, comes when we are “…willing to do His (God’s) will.” (Jn. 7:17) Not only must there be the “clean hands, and a pure heart” in coming to God for wisdom, and guidance, but there must be faith, believing that He will not turn the believer away. James tells us that God willingly gives us what is needful, and does not seek to find fault, or scold the seeking soul. Paul’s words to the Romans is very applicable here: “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (8:32)
Dear Father, Give us to see that You are willing and waiting to guide in answer to faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad