God's Guidance

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
       I will advise you and watch over you.  ~  Psalm 32:8 NLT

As we enter a new calendar year, probably all of us are looking ahead and wondering what God has planned for the coming year.  Maybe you are making plans for 2023, plans for work, for the family, for travel or ministry.  Then you may remember all of the times we heard “unprecedented” used to describe the happenings in 2022, and throw up your hands in defeat before you even finish planning.

How do we know the best plans?  We want to be wise and practical.  At the same time, we want to live in a way that pleases God.  And let’s be honest, like everyone else that struggled through the pandemic, we want to have some fun! 

The verse above, Psalm 32:8, gives us God’s promise that should give us hope and confidence for the coming year.  It clearly states, “The Lord says”.  What does he promise here to those who seek him and will listen to him?

God has promised to guide us along the BEST pathway for our lives.  We may have other seemingly good ways, but we can trust that the God who loves us, sees our past, present and future and truly knows what we need is the only one who knows what is best. Our heavenly Father desires to give us good things.  James 1:16,17 tells us that we deceive ourselves if we believe that good gifts originate with anyone or anything else.  Only our compassionate heavenly Father can be trusted to take our hand and gently, but firmly, guide us on the best path, the one that will lead to our maximum benefit and God’s glory.

So, why wring our hands and be anxious about the year ahead?  Jesus has left us with the gift of peace of mind and heart (John 14:27).  We receive that precious peace when we ask our gracious God to guide us and rely on him alone to lead us and give us what we need.

In that way, we shorten our New Year’s resolutions to one.  We simply ask God to lead us on his best path. Then trust that he will, as we commit to listen to him and obey.  We can rest assured as our good Shepherd advises us and carefully watches over us as we go along his designated path.

Dear friends, be blessed as you choose Psalm 32:8 to start your 2023.  Then be amazed as new doors of freedom, prosperity and peace open to you along the way.  May you rejoice as you close out 2023 and recall all the ways God has been gracious to you and your loved ones as you chose his best path for you.  May you rest in the shadow of the Lord’s wings this year and smile.  Amen.
Mary Sumner ~ January 3, 2023