“He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:3
Scripture reading: Psalm 25:1-10
God the Father promises to instruct His children, so they know what to do. The picture of God guiding a believer through life brings comfort to many. They feel protected and trust God’s decisions of what is good for them to go through. Yet, it can also cause worry. They wonder how to know what to do and stress about making the wrong choice.
God guides his children in this way: a believer is prompted by the Holy Spirit and by Scripture. Through reading the Bible, the Holy Spirit shows the believer a picture of God’s character that he or she ought to imitate, or the Spirit may highlight part of God’s will that the believer ought to obey. Then, the Spirit will apply this to areas of the believer’s life. Believers seek God’s will through prayer and reading Scripture.
Generally, consider your situations’ roles: are you a husband/wife/single, parent/child/senior, employer/employee, church member, friend to nonbeliever? Learn what God says your responsibilities are for these roles and seek to practice them.
For specific decisions, think through your options, including their long-term consequences. When you feel one option is better than others, force yourself to give reasons why. Take advice from trusted, godly people; but test all advice with Scripture. If in doubt, do nothing and wait on God. Following God will lead you through trouble, but you can trust Him, knowing that it is for your good and ultimately, He is leading you to your heavenly home.
Suggestions for prayer
Ask God to show you your roles and responsibilities. Ask Him how you can be more like Christ while living out these responsibilities this week.
Katelyn Van Haren is a member of Redeemer United Reformed Church in Lacombe, Alberta. She received a liberal arts degree from Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario in honours accounting and is a CPA. Katelyn and her husband have five children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com