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Thursday, August 26, 2021

When I Can’t See the Future, Rely on God

In Psalm 25:9 I read, He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way." (NIV)


The Bible says I need to do several things to receive guidance from God, but the very first thing is this: I need to admit that I need a guide!


Like most people, I naturally don’t want to follow God or anybody else. I want to go my own way. Sometimes I even “play God” and make my own choices. Instead of doing what God wants me to do, I take matters into my own hands. And I struggle to admit that I need direction or that I need a guide.


Sheep, by nature, tend to wander off the path. The prophet Isaiah says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own” (Isaiah 53:6 NLT).


Another thing about sheep is that they have poor vision. They can’t see very far ahead. That’s why they need a shepherd.


God made me so that I would not be able to see into the future, no matter how much I try. Why did God do this? He did it so I would depend on him.


Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (NIV). I’ve made decisions that at the time seemed right but later turned out to be wrong. Some paths lead to dead ends and I end up off track. That’s why I need to admit, “God, I need help.”


God wants to lead me on the right path, and that’s exactly what he’ll do when I surrender to him and let him be my guide.


In summary, God guides the humble in what is right and will teach them his way. I need to do several things to receive guidance from God, but the very first thing is to admit that I need a guide. I naturally don’t want to follow God or anybody else. I want to go my own way. I even make my own choices. Instead of doing what God wants me to do, I take matters into my own hands. I struggle to admit that I need direction or that I need a guide. Sheep tend to wander off the path. Like sheep, I have left God’s paths to follow my own. Sheep have poor vision. They can’t see very far ahead. They need a shepherd. God made me so that I would not be able to see into the future, no matter how much I try. He did it so I would depend on him. I’ve made decisions that at the time seemed right but later turned out to be wrong. “God, I need help.” God wants to lead me on the right path, and that’s exactly what he’ll do when I surrender to him and let him be my guide.


Psalm 25 is a prayer for defense, guidance, and pardon. As I trust in God, he provides. I should express my desire for guidance by wanting to be guided and realizing that God's primary guidance system is in his Word. By reading and constantly learning from it, I will gain the wisdom to perceive God's direction for my life. I may be tempted to demand answers from God, but instead I should seek direction. When I'm willing to seek God, learn from his Word, and obey his commands, then I will receive his specific guidance.


Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 


Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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