Day 20 – Lord, Guide Me

I recall in growing up a frequent family prayer was for the Lord to “lead, guide, and direct” us. As children we were no doubt just parroting the words somewhat mindlessly. Nonetheless, we somehow recognized the need for God’s continual guidance.

“Lord, guide me.” “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me” (Psalm 31:3).

Sometimes in seeking God’s guidance, all the people, places, and events of our lives seem ordered like puzzle pieces coming together. Every prayer seems answered. Coincidences keep happening. Doors keep opening. God’s guidance is overwhelmingly clear.

Yet we face other seasons when we think that God is ignoring us and has forgotten all about us. The flow of our life is just one big, tangled mess. We wonder how could God be guiding and directing the details of our life. God’s guidance is discouragingly muddled.

So we pray: “Lord, guide me. My mind is cloudy. My emotions are jumbled. The outcome is fuzzy. The future is blurry.”

Thankfully, I do find that when crucial life decisions are on the line, as I’m seeking after God, the Lord will insure that his guidance is clear. Darkness turns to light.

Other times though – most of the time, for day-to-day guidance – I learn to follow God’s voice even when it’s only a whisper.

God’s voice, of course, always lines up with God’s Word, as David prayed, “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Psalm 25:5).

I want to do what God wants. But I realize I don’t have all the answers. I need wisdom, knowledge, and discernment to make right decisions, avoid traps, and reach worthy goals.

Sometimes I just need some confirmation, some verification, some sense of comfort, some reassuring word. I just need to know from the Lord that I’m on the right track.

Seeking God’s guidance is often like the sunrise. Shadows gradually dissipate. The path in front of me becomes clearer.

The Holy Spirit applies some Bible verse to my situation. A picture in my mind forms. A muddled thought has clarity. An unsettling emotion is quieted. I move forward with confidence. “Lord, guide me.”

Prayer: “Lord, I claim your promise: ‘I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth’” (Isaiah 42:16).

~ Pastor Dave