Sabbath Psalms - Map Reader

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. 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 can all experience many times in our lives. Thankfully, God hears our prayers for direction 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, even if we are lost or can’t see the way ahead.

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 by guiding 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 a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Lent devotion: Redirection

Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (NIV)

I love using my GPS (Satnav in the UK), especially when I’m traveling to a distant or new place. It takes the worry out of reaching my destination and has made driving so much easier. I trust the satellite system to be accurate and it has only failed me a couple of times. I rely on it to be updated and will continue to use it whether it’s to get me around the city or even across the country.

In very much the same way and with a great more faith, I place my life into God’s hands. The ultimate destination is a new and distant place: Heaven. I can only get there by following God’s directions which are mapped out for me in the Bible. There are times when I get lost, or take a short cut, or even ignore God’s guidance. During those moments, I need to return to God, ask for forgiveness, and allow Him to recalibrate my direction. Thankfully, God’s grace through Christ permits me to get back on His path again, so I can once more travel heavenward.

Perhaps you feel lost or have taken a wrong path. Maybe you feel a gap between you and God and don’t know where to go with life or what to do. Come to God in prayer and just ask for His guidance. He’ll put you back on the right road and once more you can find hope in Him all day – and all life – long. 😊

Q: Where am I headed in life? Am I willing to let God recalibrate my direction?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, be our Guide today and reset our tracks on the right road that leads to heaven. Grant us the guidance we need and reassure us of Your love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

August 3 devotion - Map Reader

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.

Map Reader - Psalm 25:4

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.