Being humble, teachable and submissive to God’s leading can be a challenge throughout our lives. I think it becomes easier to do the more we realize how good and loving God is; that His plans for us are good, and that challenges He allows in our lives are opportunities to refine our character to become more like Jesus. Last week we looked at the first seven verses of Psalm 32. Take a moment to re-read Psalm 32 here to remind yourself what it says. Then we’ll look closer at the rest of the verses.
Verse 8
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way (journey, manner, habit, course of life) you should go (proceed); I will counsel (advise, consult, plan) you with my loving eye on you.”
+I have always thought about this verse as only talking about what I should do with my life; as in what should my career be? What area should I focus on in ministry? Is this the right person to marry? But I love that the original Hebrew for this word “way” is also defined as “manner” or “habit”. Meaning that God will instruct us in the way our character should be, in how we should respond to people, what healthy habits we should cultivate. It’s not simply about going somewhere, it’s about who we should be while we’re on the journey. Also, remember that God’s “loving eye” is on you. He’s not watching so He can bash you when you mess things up from time to time….He’s watching out for you with great care and affection much like a mother would keep her eyes on her baby who has just learned to walk.
Verse 9
“Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.”
+Wouldn’t it be a nightmare if your child never obeyed one word you said, didn’t trust you, and had to be physically bound in order to do anything in a healthy manner? (Did I just hear a mother of a two-year old say Amen?) But sometimes we behave that way toward God. We have got to be humble and teachable. Always. If we want to grow at a healthy rate–and have healthy relationships–we cannot be constantly hemming and hawing, bucking against the things God has for us and what He teaches in the Bible. Sometimes the route God leads us down really tests our perseverance, character, and faith. But if one of our main goals is to become more like Jesus–having His character reproduced in us–then it’s so much more beneficial and “easier” to trust God and surrender our will to His.
Verse 10
“Many are the woes (sorrow, physical/mental pain) of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love (goodness, kindness, faithfulness) surrounds (encompasses) the one who trusts (boldly, secure, confident in) in Him.”
+God’s love, goodness, kindness and faithfulness that will not fail encompasses us as we boldly, confidently trust in Him. It’s like walking in a surrounding “forcefield” of God’s love that will never run out or falter! We are secure in His love. As Psalm 103:8 says, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” He is good.
Verse 11
“Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”
+It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness and problems of the day but I want to encourage each of us to make a an effort to “practice the presence of God”. This means to be aware that God is with you at every moment. In the exciting and mundane moments as we remember God is with us, let’s offer up praise to Him, let’s be glad, let’s walk in joy knowing that He is with us. As Psalm 33:1 says, “It is fitting for the upright to praise Him.”
So….
+Do you believe that God has good plans for you and that He will show you what those are and lead you into them?
+Have you been fighting against God’s leading in your life? Are you being more like a horse or mule than an obedient son or daughter of God?
+Are you walking in the truth of God’s love that never fails? His love is surrounding you at all times! Let’s remember to thank Him and rejoice in Him throughout each day.
Prayer
God, I thank You that Your love never fails, that You are always with me, guiding me with Your love and grace. Help me to be humble and submissive to Your ways, so I can easily be led by You into the good things You have planned for me. Help me to take after Jesus’ character and the manner in which He lived. Amen.
Rayni Peavy 