How God Helps Keep Me on Track

In review of Psalm 23:3 it says, “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (NIV).

Today’s verse comes from Psalm 23. David explains how God will give me new strength and that He will guide me in the right paths, just as he has promised.

When I allow God, my shepherd to guide me, I will have contentment. When I choose to sin, and go my own way, I cannot blame God for the environment I created for myself. God knows the "green meadows" and "peaceful streams" that will restore me. I will reach these places only by following him obediently. Rebelling against his leading is actually rebelling against my own best interests.

I’ve noticed that life is composed of starts and stops. On my journey in life, I’m not always walking. It will always include starts and stops. In fact, there are some things I’ll need to stop doing and some things I’ll need to start doing. When I know what those are, I’ll be prepared to see the signs from God that, in his goodness, that he has set all along the way.

If David were writing Psalm 23:3 today, he might say like this, “God keeps me on track.” The Good Shepherd doesn’t just feed me. He leads me. He doesn’t just correct me. He directs me.

I often wonder, “Why is it so difficult to figure out what God wants me to do with my life? Why does God’s will often seem hidden? Is God playing games with me? Does God enjoy confusing me?”

What I’m learning is that God has given me a roadmap: His Word (the Bible). God has given me a compass: my conscience. God has also given me a personal guidance counselor: the Holy Spirit. Clearly, God wants to lead me in the paths of righteousness. This is important, because God never intended for me to figure out the steps of my journey without him.

How I get on mission and how I succeed at my mission are God’s responsibilities. My responsibility is to seek his guidance and then obey his directions.

Bottom line:

God will guide as he promised.

What this means to me:

As promised God will guide me if I follow and obey him.

In summary, God will give me new strength each day. He will guide me in the right paths to take. When I allow God to guide me, I will be content. I will be following the right paths only by following him obediently. God's road map is his Word (the Bible). My compass is my conscience, my counselor is the Holy Spirit. God never intended me to figure it out on my own. My responsibility is to seek his guidance and then obey his directions.

God I confess and admit that I don’t always follow and obey you. As Jeanne and I finish Financial Peace and achieve the steps outlined in it, I’m finding myself leaning toward a dependency on this, vs. just being a good steward of what your provided and holding it loosely. It’s more important that I put my trust in you and not in material things. I pray this morning that you help my perspective to realize I’m only obeying and following what it takes to be a good steward and to not count on it, but to count on and trust you. I also continue to ask today for your wisdom and guidance in my work tasks, leadership of others and interactions with others. This I ask in your Son Jesus name, amen!