“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” – Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
In this verse, we are given a beautiful promise from God: that He will be our guide, our teacher, and our counselor, leading us in the path we should take.
Need for Guidance
Life’s journey is often filled with uncertainty, confusion, and difficult choices. We can easily lose our way, stumbling through the darkness without a clear sense of direction.
But we are not alone in this journey. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, offers to guide us.
Wisdom of God’s Counsel
God’s guidance is not a mere set of instructions or a map to follow blindly. It is a personal, loving counsel that takes into account our unique circumstances and needs.
With His loving eye upon us, God offers wisdom that is tailored to our specific situation, helping us navigate the complexities of life.
Path of Trust
To receive God’s guidance, we must cultivate a heart of trust. We must be willing to surrender our own limited understanding and lean on His wisdom.
As we walk in obedience and faith, God will illuminate the path before us, step by step, leading us into the fullness of His plan.
It takes humility to recognize our need for divine guidance and the courage to trust in God’s wisdom as we journey through life. For in doing so, we can experience the joy and peace of walking in the path He has prepared for us.
“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” – John 17:4 (NIV)
In this powerful statement from Jesus, we see the culmination of His earthly ministry.
He declares that He has completed the task assigned to Him by the Father, bringing glory to God through His obedience and sacrifice.
Purpose Revealed
From the very beginning, Jesus had a clear sense of purpose and mission.
He came to earth not merely to teach or perform miracles, but to fulfill a specific work – the redemption of humanity through His death and resurrection.
Example Set
As followers of Christ, we too have been given a purpose and a mission.
Just as Jesus lived a life of absolute obedience to the Father’s will, we are called to align our lives with God’s plan and to seek to bring Him glory through our actions and choices.
Ongoing Work
While Christ’s work on the cross is complete, the mission to proclaim the good news and make disciples continues.
We are now the hands and feet of Christ in the world, carrying on the work that He began. As we surrender ourselves fully to God’s purposes, we can find true meaning and fulfillment in our lives.
May you, like Jesus, be able to say at the end of your days that you have finished the work God gave you to do. May your life be a testament to His glory, as you faithfully pursue His purposes.
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
Trap of People-Pleasing
In our pursuit of acceptance and validation, it’s easy to fall into the trap of people-pleasing.
We can become consumed by the desire to win the approval of others, tailoring our words, actions, and even our beliefs to fit the expectations and preferences of those around us.
But this path is ultimately a dead end, leading us into a prison of conformity and inauthenticity.
Pursuit of God’s Approval
In contrast to the endless chase for human approval, there is a higher calling – the pursuit of God’s approval.
This is not about earning His favor through our own efforts or trying to impress Him with our accomplishments; it’s about aligning our hearts and lives with His will, seeking to honor Him in all that we do.
Freedom of Serving Christ
When we shift our focus from pleasing people to serving Christ, a remarkable thing happens: we experience true freedom.
No longer bound by the ever-changing demands and expectations of others, we find liberation in the knowledge that our identity and purpose are rooted in the unchanging love and acceptance of our Heavenly Father.
Living as Servants of Christ
Living as servants of Christ means embracing a life of radical obedience and surrender to His will.
It requires us to let go of our own agendas, ambitions, and desires for approval, and to instead seek His kingdom and righteousness above all else.
As you do this, you discover that His ways are not burdensome but life-giving, leading you into a deeper experience of joy, peace, and purpose.
“And he said to the human race, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” Job 28:28
Wisdom Begins with Reverence
In a world obsessed with wealth, power, and pleasure, we need to refocus on what holds real value. This verse teaches that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.
More than mere respect, the fear of the Lord is deep awe, reverence, and submission to God. It’s recognizing His unmatched greatness and bowing humbly before Him.
Do you approach God with a trembling, obedient heart?
Proper fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. It realigns our priorities and perspectives. When we stand in awe of the Almighty, earthly troubles grow smaller. Pursuit of selfish gain loses appeal.
Focusing our minds on His majesty floods our hearts with priceless wisdom. Ask the Spirit today to instill godly fear and wisdom within you.
Understanding Through Obedience
The second half of this verse equates understanding with shunning evil. As we walk closely with God, listening to His voice, wisdom produces moral discernment. We gain ability to spot wickedness and walk the other way.
Understanding guards us from foolish choices and the heartache they bring. We develop spiritual instincts to flee anything disruptive to our intimacy with Christ. But this understanding only flourishes through obedience.
As James 1:22 states, we must “be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Active surrender to God allows Him to sharpen our discernment.
Obedience and wisdom feed one other in a beautiful cycle. Are there areas of obedience God is calling you to? Take steps to submit today. Watch understanding blossom!
Greater Worth than Riches
Proverbs 8 lavishes praise on the excellency of wisdom, declaring it more valuable than rubies, gold, or silver. All the money in the world cannot purchase wisdom! It springs from a heart surrendered to the fear of the Lord.
A life applied in obedience to God blooms with discernment and insight no amount of wealth can replicate. Don’t envy those with overflowing bank accounts or prominent positions. Covet instead the priceless wisdom only God provides to the humble and obedient.
He is eager to grant it to those who earnestly seek Him. Treasure time spent in the Word, in prayer and worship, allowing healthy fear to take root. This is investment into eternally precious wisdom!
Pillars of Spiritual Maturity
As we journey through life with Christ, may we build our homes on the twin pillars of godly fear and spiritual understanding. One leads to the other in a cycle of growth and maturity.
When we awake with an awe-filled heart, eager to revere and obey God, He directs our paths and grants keen discernment. As we then walk out that obedience, the wisdom He imparts strengthens our resolve to honor Him above all.
This day, commit yourself fully to this beautiful process. Determine to treasure nothing above intimacy with God. The rewards of wisdom He bestows on the faithful heart are beyond measure!
