Instructed!

Instructed!

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8 KJV

The Contention:

This is a psalm attributed to David, and as we know, David was a man after God's heart. He wasn't perfect, but he was teachable, and through his experiences, he learnt a lot about God's ways and will. For all of us who would desire David's experiences, we must also crave David's lessons. His seasons in the wilderness, taking care of his father's sheep, prepared him for leading the nation of Israel. There will be seasons of silence for me also, when it would seem that God may have forgotten me, but my past experience of God will comfort my heart, because I know that God does not abandon his own. It is not in God's nature at all to abandon His children, or ignore their cry for help, and if there is anything that should comfort our hearts, it is that God stakes his reputation on the way He deals with His children.

The Inspiration:

That is the essence of today's verse. God wants to instruct and teach His children. What kind of a father leaves his children without guidance or instruction? Any parent who wants his/her child to learn the right habits must consciously teach these habits. They will not be learnt by osmosis or spiritual transmission alone, but by daily application. God promises to instruct and teach; the main question for me then is if I am where God can reach and teach me. Depending on the source, to instruct is to 'tell or order someone to do something' or to 'teach someone a subject or skill' or to 'authorize someone to act on one's behalf'. What is clear is that there is a superior directing another to act in a certain way, or to do certain things. Can God instruct me? Can He direct my actions? Do I truly represent Him? 

The Conclusion:

What makes this even more pressing is the fact that God does not force His way on anyone; we come to Him of our own freewill and submit to his authority. He says He will play His part, but I also need to play my part. To teach, you have to show the example. 2 definitions of teach are: 'to impart knowledge or instruct someone on HOW to do something' and 'cause someone to learn or understand something by example or experience'. God never leaves me to grope in the darkness of ignorance; He will always provide clear guidance, and then He will walk with me every step of the way. His eye will not lead me to the place where His presence will not keep me. I have access to the riches of God's presence and the full dispensation of His grace. What more could I need? God's time of favour is here.