“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3b

 

David was deeply aware that God had a special calling on his life. As a young boy, the prophet Samuel anointed him to be the next king of Israel in the presence of his father and brothers. David would grow up to be called a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). One of the most important reasons for this testimony was that he always remembered his Shepherd in life. He knew how dependent he was on God’s guidance to make a success of his purpose as a king. This would be one of the prayers he would most often pray during his life: that God would always guide him to find the right path. One of the beautiful other examples of David praying in this way is found in Psalm 139:23-24. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

 

How did God guide him? In 1 Samuel 16:13, we read that the Holy Spirit worked in his life from the day that he was anointed as the king. The Lord also spoke to David through prophets. Samuel would continue to play a big role as a mentor in his life. Nathan would have to confront him when he left God’s path, the most important example would be his affair with Bathsheba. David had the good sense to surround himself with capable counsellors. Earlier in this week, we saw how faithful friends would help to build his life and character, the most important one being Jonathan.

 

None of us has all the wisdom to find our own way in life. Like King David, God continues to guide his children through his Holy Spirit. We have the benefit of having the words of the prophets in book form – our Bibles contain everything we need to know in order to walk God’s path. God blesses us with people playing a mentoring role in our lives, godly men and women who have been walking along God’s path longer than us. They love God and they love us, and they want to pray with us and encourage us, and lift us up to serve God with all our heart. God also gives us friends, who serve the Lord with us, helping us to remember who we are, and what we are called to do.

 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you continue to guide me on the right paths to the honour of your name. Thank you, Spirit of God, for your faithful guidance in my life. Thank you for the Bible, my compass and map for the journey of life. Thank you for godly men and women, friends in Christ, who inspire me to endure, and to excel in your service. Lord, please keep on guiding me. Help me to be teachable, and humble through your Spirit in me. Amen.