VALGOOD

“Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow.” Psalm 25:4

Recently on Facebook, one of my friends posted a story of a woman who was running on a trail and got attacked and was so badly beaten that her husband didn’t recognize her face. I was horrified! Since moving, I’ve done a lot of running alone on a trail that is wooded in lots of areas. As I’ve been running lately, I’ve been praying for safety, for God to protect me, for wisdom of when and where to be, etc. My neck has actually hurt after running lately because I’ve been looking around so much to be aware of who might be behind or beside me! I know that I can’t live in fear, or I’d never go outside. I also don’t know anyone in this area who is available to run with me, and I need the exercise (both physically and mentally!).

This morning as I was reading my Bible, I saw a common theme running through the chapters, and they were so calming to my fears in so many areas that I felt compelled to share them. My reading started with Psalm 23, which many of us know well (although I’m reading from the New Living Translation, so it may be slightly different than what you’re used to):  “The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.” 

God leads us along right paths! He is with us and He protects us! I had to remember the verse in Psalm 139 that said each one of our days is ordained by God before one of them came to be. He knows us and He knows the future. If we are to endure hardship like Job, it’s not a surprise to Him. He knows what’s coming! He is our guide and we can trust Him!

I continued reading in Psalms and came to Psalm 25:4-5: “Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You.” 

It was at this very verse that I realized that God wasn’t just speaking to me about physically running on the right path. He is the One who is directing our very steps to be in this state. We are actively house hunting, and I have been all-but panicking about which school our boys are going to start at because we don’t have a house yet. But, God knows the timing! He has been faithful! As the worship song that I posted previously says in its lyrics, “You’ve never failed, and You won’t start now!” God is leading us through each decision. If we’re listening to Him and following Him, can we trust that He’ll “point out the right road for [us] to follow” as the verse says above? Is God faithful? Absolutely! So, why am I so worried?

So often I need to see things over and over again for them to sink in. Today was one of those days where I was underlining the same verses and saying “YES, God, I hear You!” Psalm 25:8-10 says “The Lord is good and does what is right; He shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them His way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all those who keep His covenant and obey His decrees.” 

Let me pause here. The Lord is GOOD. He shows the proper path even to those who go astray. Even if we start heading the wrong direction, God shows us the path for us. If we’re humble and willing to learn, He will teach us His way! The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness – will He fail? No! Is He faithful? YES! But, who does He do these things for? The verse says all those who keep His covenant and obey His decrees. Yikes! If you’re like me, you know that you’ve sinned. You may look at your past mistakes and say “well, I’m out!” But, the Psalm continues “For the honor of Your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins” (Psalm 25:11). None of us is perfect! No one is without sin! The difference between the righteous and unrighteous is the blood of Jesus. It’s confessing with your mouth that you have screwed up and allowing God to cover you with His grace, then making the conscious choice to be faithful to God!

Finally, Psalm 25:12 says “Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose.”

I needed these words today – God will show us the path to choose! He will show me where it’s safe to run! And He will show us which house is right for our family. He will show us the path that He has for us. There are so many choices that we make in life – forks in the road where we could turn right or left and we’re not sure which is the best to take. In John it says that God’s sheep know His voice. If we’re really listening and seeking Him, we’ll know in our spirits what is right. And we can trust Him and His faithfulness and not be consumed with worry and fear.

Do you feel relieved? I hope so! If not, let’s pray together!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your words. Thank You that You repeat themes in the Bible so that if we miss it the first time, we will get it when we read it over and over again. Thank You that You lead us. We are Your sheep and You’ve created us to know Your voice. Our days were ordained before even one of them came to be. You know our future and You know the path that You have for us. You lead us into good places. And even when we walk in scary situations, You are there to comfort us and protect us. You show us the proper way if we’re willing to humble ourselves before You. God, just like David said in Psalm 25:11 we cry out “Forgive my many, many sins!” We are far from perfect, but we long to obey You and stay in covenant with You. We do fear You, and we ask right now that You show us the path to choose. I specifically pray for the safety of all my running mama friends (and even those who I don’t know!). Please show us the right path and help us not fear. I also pray for our family in finding a house where we belong. Please guide us! And finally, I pray for anyone praying with me right now as they read. Guide them, God. Show them the way that You want them to go – direct us all, Lord God! We need You! And we trust You. Thank You for being faithful! Thank You for Your UNFAILING love. We trust that You’ve never failed and won’t start today. We honor and praise You for who You are – You are faithful even when we haven’t been. Help us and guide us as Your beloved children. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!