THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, February 16, 2024

Lord, over three thousand years ago, the psalmist faced a major decision. Trust you? Or trust his understanding? He breathed a simple prayer:

“Show me the right path, O Lord. Point out the road for me to follow” (Psalm 25:4 NLT).

How many gazillion people through the centuries have prayed these words? And you heard every word. In brokenness, you heard my desperate plea after I had traveled many winding, pothole-filled roads that led to dead ends. But honoring the small amount of faith I could muster, you answered my prayer.

At some time, everyone breathing has faced or will face a fork in their life’s road. Should I take the road left, or stay to the right? One road may look safe, but the other exciting. One road appears well-traveled, the other resembles a trail leading into the Amazon jungle.

Lord, we try to use the brains you gave us to reason the factors of each path and then make an educated decision. You know how uncertainty about major decisions makes normal folks uncomfortable. Secular folks rely on their human wisdom. Christ followers rely on your divine wisdom. Or they should.  

Your Word tells us before we are born, you have a plan for our lives (Psalm 139:1–6). Teach us to listen for your voice speaking to our inner self, and may we follow the path where your Spirit leads. Forgive our grumbling when your leading takes us to an uncomfortable place. You have a purpose for that. Help us put aside our desires and even if we don’t understand, follow your leading. You see the whole picture from beginning to end. We can’t see past the end of our prideful noses. And you always know what is best for us.

Guide me, Lord. I don’t want to mess up again. My plea is that of the psalmist, “Point out the road for me to follow.”

Amen, Jesus.