GUIDANCE

PSALMS 32:8

A. "I WILL INSTRUCT THEE AND TEACH THEE IN THE WAY WHICH THOU SHALT GO; I WILL GUIDE WITH MINE EYE" - PS. 32:8
  1. A prayerful study of the life of the Psalmist reveals:
    1. That he was fully aware of the ever present dangers that beset life
    2. He saw how King Saul lost his connection with God because he chose paths which were bound to lead him downward and finally to destruction - I Sam. 28:6-20; 29:4-6
  2. Experience taught him:
    1. That he could not trust his own wisdom to choose the path of life; for on many occasions his choice brought deep sorrow and grief to him
    2. Thus we can see the wisdom of his prayer, "Make me to go in the path of thy commandments, for therein do I delight" - Ps. 119:35 B. GUIDANCE
  3. How important it is:
    1. Life is so full of unsolved mysteries that no one of us is wise enough to choose the path of life - Is. 53:6; Examples: The prodigal thought that he was wise enough to choose the path of life; but he soon discovered that his way led him to ruin - Luke 15:1-32; Judas too, thought that he could take care of himself, but his path led him to destruction - Matt. 27:1-3
    2. God says, and experience confirms that it is not in man to direct his steps - Jer. 10:23
    3. The path of history is strewn with human fatalities - Matt. 7:13-14
  4. The need of divine guidance is apparent:
    1. Nobody thinks of climbing the dangerous passes and peaks of Switzerland without a guide
    2. Experienced travelers are very careful about getting experienced guides
    3. How much more does a man need a guide for to climb on in the future days unknown to all human experience
    4. Can any mortal being know the path that lies ahead of him - without divine aid? - Prov. 27:1 C. THREE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS ARE INVOLVED IN GUIDANCE
  5. Destination:
    1. Every path leads somewhere; it comes to a dead end somewhere
    2. God's pilgrims have their aim in life, a goal, a mark, an objective - the holy city, the kingdom of God, eternal life - Heb. 11:14-16; 2 Pet. 3:13-14; Ps. 43:3
    3. Their aim is to become like their Redeemer in character - Phil. 3:7-14
    4. That is God's aim and plan - Rom. 8:29
  6. Divine aid promised for all who are eager to reach the goal of life eternal:
    1. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou wilt go" - Ps. 32:8-9
    2. "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths" - Prov. 3:6
    3. "The Lord shall guide thee continually" - Is. 58:11
    4. "I am the light of the world; He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" - John 8:12
    5. "For this is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even unto death" - Ps. 48:14
  7. Summary:
    1. Our guide - God - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore, will I not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried away into the midst of the sea"
    2. The living Christ - said He, "Follow Me"
    3. The Holy Spirit - "When He the Sprit of truth is come, He shall guide you" - John 16:13
    4. The Bible - the Holy Scriptures - "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation" - 2 Tim. 3:15-17
    5. Acceptance of guidance - man is a free moral agent; he has the power to choose, to accept or to reject - "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse" - Deut. 11:26-27; "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil" - Deut. 30:15


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