June 5, Guidance
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8, New International Version)
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8, New Living Translation)
I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel. (Psalm 32:8, Holman Christian Standard Bible)
I will instruct and teach you about how you should live. I will advise you as I look you in the eye. (New English Translation)
The unmistakable promise from Psalm 32:8 expresses a promise of divine guidance. God desires to guide us personally, and intimately. We are called to continue in our fellowship with God each day with this promise ever before us.
At this crucial moment in our world, can we pause from all the “talking points” by the experts about our present plights? Can we take our finger off the button that will bring about another’s posted opinion (good or bad) of these present days? Can we pause long enough to be reminded of this truth? There is divine guidance for your life at this very moment. And, you have the opportunity to so align yourself with such guidance that your entire perspective, attitude, and emotions can be changed for the best.
With the awareness of how much we truly need God’s divine guidance, consider that divine guidance is very possible. This is not an out of reach truth reserved only for those saints of antiquity. This can be a reality for you. Notice from the comparison of the above translations of Psalm 32:8 that David shared this truth in somewhat of a prophetic tone to demonstrate that the very voice of the Lord has reached timelessly into our lives with the offer of His instruction to guide us in the way our lives should go. This represents the possibility of divine guidance for you and me at this very moment. Also, consider that divine guidance is very personal. Again, from the above translations, notice the reference to you, your life, and the pathway of your life. The concern of God is that you would walk in the way of His plan for you. Obviously, this is where many would depart from the prospect of divine guidance, for the issue of many is the lack of interest in what God’s way prescribes for one’s personal direction in life. But, how nonsensical to refuse guidance that is absolutely perfect and failproof. This offers a third consideration: divine guidance is perfect. Notice from the above translations the emphasis upon godly counsel. If David is speaking to would-be pupils of his leadership, as some scholarship holds, then the emphasis of counsel most certainly serves as a typology of the counsel that is readily available from the Lord. This counsel gains significance from the reference of Psalm 32 as a maskil. This term seems to indicate from the basic meaning a contemplative psalm that imparts moral wisdom. Herein Psalm 32:8, divine counsel (God’s moral directive) becomes available. And this becomes a typology for the counsel God offers perpetually to His own children today. The Holy Spirit of God is referenced as our counselor (John 14:26). Jesus Himself was prophetically given the title, “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6). So, God has made Himself known to us, and in this has made available His divine counsel. This proves how incredibly perfect is the counsel and guidance of our God.
F. B. Meyer wrote, “so much of our power and peace consists in following God’s guidance - knowing where God would have us be, and in being just there.”[1] Are you desiring God’s divine guidance in your life above all other influences, including your own? Do you desire the power and peace that comes from living under the divine direction of our Lord? It is possible, it is personal, and it is perfect.
Today, let’s prepare ourselves to live under the influence of God’s guidance. There is no greater necessity at this very moment.
Blessings.
READ
Read Psalm 32:1-11 to prepare yourself for living under God’s guidance.
[1] F. B. Myer, The Secret of Guidance, p. 5.
