Which Path?

What are you planning to do today? Are you looking forward to it with joy, with apprehension, or begrudgingly?
Now think about a life-changing decision you made at some point in the past. How did it turn out? Or maybe you are considering one right now!

As we navigate life, we are presented with various pathways and decisions. Sometimes we feel actions are forced upon us, sometimes we confidently step into them, and other times we may hesitate to act and an opportunity closes for us. These decisions can generate a variety of feelings. Look at the confidence of David as we read in Psalms 25.
 
1 In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
2 I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
4 Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.  Psalm 25:1-10

You may find yourself on a variety of paths simultaneously, and at times it may feel overwhelming. This Psalm is a reminder that God is with you on all of your paths! Look back on the passage and find words or phrases that refer to the past, the present, and the future.
Note how much guidance David is asking from God. It is a reminder that we can talk to God about anything. He is lovingly interested in your life and wellbeing.

4832 Ponderings:

• David uses the word shame 3 times in verses 2 and 3. What does shame mean and what is the significance here?
• In which verses does David asked for guidance?
• In the Bible hope means the confident expectation of a future outcome. What do you think it means to put our hope in God (verses 3 and 5)?

Closing Prayer: Dear Lord, we put our trust in You alone. Because of You, we embrace hope now, in the future, and for eternity. Show us Your ways and teach us Your paths. Guide us in Your truth. Because you offer forgiveness to us, help us not dwell on the past, but move forward along the path of hope in confidence. Guide us and teach us, we pray. In Jesus’ name, Amen.    Adapted from Psalm 25:1-10