Finding The Right Road

Psalm 25:1-6

A psalm of David.

1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

2I trust in you, my God!

Do not let me be disgraced,

or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.

3No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,

but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

4Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD;

point out the right road for me to follow.

5Lead me by your truth and teach me,

for you are the God who saves me.

All day long I put my hope in you.

6Remember, O LORD, your unfailing love and compassion,

which you have shown from long ages past.

In the middle of his second missionary journey, the apostle Paul wasn’t sure where to go. He had split up with his mentor, Barnabas, and was the leader of his own team, which included Silas and young Timothy. Paul planned to go one way, but the Holy Spirit didn’t let him. Then he turned to go another way, and once again the door was closed to him. How frustrating it must have been! God had called Paul to travel through Asia Minor spreading the word about Jesus, and he had been faithful to that calling. Was God now going to leave him stranded?

No doubt Paul and his friends called upon God with the same requests that David did in Psalm 25: “Show me the path . . . point out the right road . . . lead me by your truth.”

And the very next night God did give them direction. Paul had a vision of a man beckoning him to enter Europe (Acts 16:9). Paul heeded this message from the Lord, and, as a result, the evangelization of a whole new continent was begun.

In every age Christians long to hear God’s clear direction: “This is the way; turn around and walk here” (Isaiah 30:21). This is where we must truly recognize that the Lord is indeed our Shepherd and trust him to show us the way.

Whatever problem you are facing today, call upon God, and in his perfect timing he will guide you.

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom;

Lead thou me on.

The night is dark, and I am far from home;

Lead thou me on.

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene—one step enough for me.

JOHN H. NEWMAN

Fascinating Fact

This is an acrostic psalm, with each verse beginning with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet (with a few exceptions). This was probably a psalm that parents taught their children, since its alphabetical arrangement would make it easier to memorize and it calls for the Lord to “teach,” “show,” and “lead.”

Notable Quotable

“Do what you know to be your present duty, and God will acquaint you with your future duty.”

SAMUEL ANNESLEY