“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:
- Show. He wanted God to show him His ways. The words āwaysāĀ and āpathsāĀ 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. Godās 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 ā¦
- 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 ā¦
- Guide. He wanted God to guide him āā 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 āhe knew that Godās ways are established in truth, or that which is firm and stable.āĀ (taken from the Holman Old Testament Commentary āā 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, āPartners 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 .
This is the perfect devotional post for starting my morning. I love that quote by John Maxwell. What great insights into this passage of scripture. Show, teach, guide, is becoming my prayer today as well. Wishing you a blessed week.
Thank you, Jed. It truly helps me to a Scripture down into key words so I grasp what I am to do, not only read š
Joanne, I love that quote from John Maxwell. How true! Thank you for sharing today! Joining you from Intentional Tuesday.
I think it was a powerful quote which resonated with several of us! Thank you for stopping here, Ellen. Blessings!
Me too! I love the John Maxwell quote too! š I just read this Psalm in my devotional last week, so it’s encouraging to me to read this today.
Betsy, I love when God works with repetition in my life. It sure helps me to hone into the point He wants me to see and apply. Blessings today!
Hi Joanne!
I concur with everyone about the quote of John Maxwell, but I was really impacted by the three key things you highlighted from David’s Psalms in seeking guidance. You demonstrate well how a well-timed choice of words can speak volumes.
Blessings on your day today!
Pam
Thank you, Pam. Sometimes I need to just pull out the key words that are speaking to me so that I grasp fully what God is wanting me to learn.
“Show”, “teach”, “guide” ~ so good. I’m soaking up the ministry in your post today, Joanne. It’s a good lesson and encouragement. Visiting via #testimonyTuesday.
Thank you, Kristi. I am grateful you were encouraged.
I love this Joanne! Such simple principles, but so necessary in order to grow in the Lord. A lot of times we just want God to guides us without all the showing and teaching. I love how you laid this out so clearly. Thanks for sharing at #RaRaLinkup
Alisa, I am finding there are days I am so in need of just that – simplicity. He has made some things so simple & we tend to complicate them. Or at least I do š Thank you for stopping here. Blessings!
Love the quote from John Maxwell, Joanne. Such a perfect image of how God guides and directs us. And David – well, his heart was such a joy to God. Glad to reconnect with you at the unite link-up – it’s been too long! š
Tiffany, I am so glad you shared. It’s good to pull an old book off the shelf every once in a while š
Show, Teach and Guide, there in one verse is a three point sermon. I love your photo and enjoyed your thoughts on each point. When we have a teachable spirit, it is easy for God to Show us His Will, to teach us which path to take, and guide us along that path. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
Grateful for your encouragement, Hazel. Sometimes it is as I focus on just a few words that God teaches me the most. It is so good to connect with you each week!
Beautifully put, great reminders.
<3 this. It's a perfect love note from God to me tonight. Will share more later. xo
Glad it encouraged you, Lyli. Grateful Bruce is doing better too! xo
Great and encouraging post on being guided by God. I think the only way we can truly be guided in the way He wants us to go is by having a teachable spirit. If we find that we need to change we should be willing to do it to accomplish His will for us.
Tona, I agree with you. It truly does come down to having a teachable spirit – all of our days. Blessings!