Psalm 25:4 Show
me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. (NIV)
It was in the Boy Scouts
that I learned how to read and use a map. I can remember hiking in the Campsie
hills above Glasgow, Scotland with my Scout troop. As we climbed the hills, a
deep fog descended around us and before long, it seemed to me that we were
hopelessly lost. As the mist slowly cleared, we began to see the landscape of
the Campsies around us. During this time, our patient Scoutmaster unfolded a
map and pointed out the various small streams and elevation markers that were
drawn on it.
At first, all I saw were
lines on a piece of paper which meant nothing to me, but as my Scoutmaster
pointed to all of the trails, brooks, and peaks around us while carefully identifying
them on the map, I began to make the connection. He knew exactly where we were
and he was teaching all of us how to discover our location and re-find our path.
It was a wonderful lesson that I have never forgotten and to this very day,
some fifty years later, I still enjoy looking at and reading maps wherever I
go.
In today’s highlighted
Bible verse, the ancient psalmist is asking God to show him the right path to
take. The psalm writer, possibly King David, has reached a point in his life
where he doesn’t know what to do or where to go. He needs God to indicate his
location and show him the way ahead, so he prayerfully and sincerely asks for
God’s direction. It’s a simple act of faith and trust which we all experience many
times in our lives. Thankfully, God hears our prayers and is always willing to
show us the path ahead. So, no matter who we are or what we are feeling,
encountering, or experiencing today, it’s good to know that God is always aware
of the life trail that we are on, and will always be our map reader and patient
guide.
Point to ponder
Where am I? What path does God want me to follow?
Prayer: Lord God, You have always been leading us
through each day of our lives. Every moment is a sacred experience; every step is
an act of faith. Be with us and guide us on this great journey we call life
and, when all of this is over, lead us upward and onward to Your Eternal Kingdom.
In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart is the pastor
of Erin Presbyterian Church in
Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at
11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊
Today’s image is one of
John’s Appalachian drawings called “Smoky Mountain Morning.” If you would like
to view a larger version, click on this link: Smoky.
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