Read
(By David.)
A Prayer for Guidance
1I offer you my heart, Lord God,
2and I trust you.
Don't make me ashamed
or let enemies defeat me.
3Don't disappoint any
of your worshipers,
but disappoint all
deceitful liars.
4Show me your paths
and teach me to follow;
5guide me by your truth
and instruct me.
You keep me safe,
and I always trust you.
6Please, Lord, remember,
you have always
been patient and kind.
7Forget each wrong I did
when I was young.
Show how truly kind you are
and remember me.
8You are honest and merciful,
and you teach sinners
how to follow your path.
9You lead humble people
to do what is right
and to stay on your path.
10In everything you do,
you are kind and faithful
to everyone who keeps
our agreement with you.
11Be true to your name, Lord,
by forgiving each one
of my terrible sins.
12You will show the right path
to all who worship you.
13Then they will have plenty,
and their children
will receive the land.
14Our Lord, you are the friend
of your worshipers,
and you make an agreement
with all of us.
15I always look to you,
because you rescue me
from every trap.
16I am lonely and troubled.
Show that you care
and have pity on me.
17My awful worries keep growing.
Rescue me from sadness.
18See my troubles and misery
and forgive my sins.
19Look at all my enemies!
See how much they hate me.
20I come to you for shelter.
Protect me, keep me safe,
and don't disappoint me.
21I obey you with all my heart,
and I trust you, knowing
that you will save me.
22Our God, please save Israel
from all its troubles.
Reflect
David knew God in an intimate way. He had learned to trust him in every area of his life (v 1). Our God is an active Father who is fully in touch with each one of his children. He is totally trustworthy. He will never let us down (v 3). His involvement with us is deeply personal. I can look back on my life and see God’s hand of influence, teaching and guidance being constantly there.
Consider in the past where your Father has:
- Taught you (v 4)
- Guided you (v 5)
- Forgiven you mercifully (vv 6,7)
- Remained faithful (v 10).
But what about the future? Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, (Hebrews 13:8), so therefore, as we face an unknown future with all its troubles, he will continue faithful to us. Read the promises of verses 12-17 and be encouraged that the Lord will fulfil his purposes in your life.
One of the sure ways we can know the Lord’s grace and guidance is by being humbly teachable. I notice that five times David speaks of being taught by the Lord (vv 4,5,8,9,12). Pride is one of those besetting sins we can recognize in others but easily ignore in ourselves. David faces many trials and difficulties but looks to the Lord to provide more grace (vv 16-20). When trouble or opposition comes our way, may we see this as a time when the Lord is teaching us humility and as a way of us becoming more teachable.
Respond
Lord thank you for leading and guiding me in the past. I ask for much grace and teaching as I seek to honour you in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
George Anderson
George is a retired Presbyterian minister who resides in Binbrook Ontario, Canada with his wife, Audrey. George & Audrey emigrated from South Africa to Ile Perrot, Quebec, in 1989 with their four daughters all of whom are now married and living in Ontario with their nine grand-children. After teaching high school Math and working in SU in South Africa, George pastored two churches there and four churches in Canada, the last being in the beautiful Muskoka town of Huntsville. The main focus of George’s ministry has been building up congregations through the renewing grace and power of the Spirit of Jesus as expressed in Acts 2 v 42 – teaching, fellowship, eating together and prayer. George enjoys bird-watching and hiking with Audrey and the occasional tennis and golf.