Guided!

Guided! 

I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. Psalms 32:8‭ TPT

Of course, the life of the one attributed with writing the words of today's extract is our first port of call. David had made it a habit to totally depend on God for everything. He did not always make the right decisions every day, but there was no doubt as to his commitment and sincerity with God. He would sing about waking up early to seek God's help, depending on God for strength for the day's activities, even when he had to face lions and giants, and then also thanking God for the end of the day and the blessing of sleep given by God. David's life is a study on daily dependence and I will do well to critically examine this man's life and see how I can also access all of God's rich mercy, just as David did. 

The words of today's extract are pronounced by God, so I pay attention to all parts of it. He makes a promise of a close walk with me. He will not deal with me from a distance, as He wants to be close to me, able to instruct and guide me. How do I hear a God I am far away from? Even if he shouts to draw my attention, how will I hear if I am already distracted by the daily grind of life? Unfortunately, there is no manual for life inside life itself; the right manual is in the hands of the one who formed life. How can the created determine what is best for itself? Would it not make sense that the One who created a thing is the best resource person for that thing? How can I know what is best for me, if I am far away from the One who created me, gave me breath and holds me till today? 

The devil will have me think I can control the narrative. He tells me that after all, God gave me a mind of my own, but he does not mention that the power of freewill is to make it easy for me to choose God. If I willingly come to God, He knows he has my heart forever. That which I do of my own free will is what God accepts. Even when I have accepted and surrendered to him as Lord and Saviour, he doesn't leave me to my devices, but he will advise me along the way as I go on. He never leaves me alone, as I have become his prized possession. He is the leader, not I. He is the master, not I. He is the guide, not I. He has total and complete authority, and I take after him, not the other way around. Is that true of you? Are you the boss of your own life, pursuing the lie of self-sufficiency? 

The verse ends with a curious bit: God says he will lead us forth with 'his eyes as a guide'. What would that mean for me? When I read of God's eye in the bible, I see holiness, righteousness and truth. There is no hypocrisy, pretence or deceit. His eyes are too pure to behold iniquity. He demands total submission, not partial obedience. Before I begin to claim the blessing, can I first make sure that my life is such that will attract the blessing? We conveniently concentrate on what we can get out of God, but make no effort to find out what God would want from us. We become claimers, not doers, and unless and until I become a doer, I cannot get any blessing from God's word, no matter how long I shout "I receive". I need God to guide me; I know nothing of the pitfalls and dangers ahead. I need the wisdom, Amen nce and help of the One who knows the path and knows what is ahead. When I seek his will, my life makes impact. When I listen out for him, even in the hustle and bustle of life, I am distinct because I listen to a different voice from the world. His voice does not ever align with current realities, but his commands will make everything real. Where he directs may not make sense, but he alone knows the final destination. I am very limited in understanding, insight and foresight; only God's eyes see into eternity. I trust him with my life, and ask him for grace to continually obey him. With him, I can't go wrong. Without him, I will always go wrong. God's time of favour is here.