Lead Me Forward

Psalm 143:7-12

7Come quickly, LORD, and answer me,

for my depression deepens.

Don’t turn away from me,

or I will die.

8Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning,

for I am trusting you.

Show me where to walk,

for I have come to you in prayer.

9Save me from my enemies, LORD;

I run to you to hide me.

10Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God.

May your gracious Spirit lead me forward

on a firm footing.

11For the glory of your name, O LORD, save me.

In your righteousness, bring me out of this distress.

12In your unfailing love, cut off all my enemies

and destroy all my foes,

for I am your servant.

Late in 1891 a friend suggested to twenty-five-year-old Wilfred Grenfell that he might like to take a trip from England to Newfoundland to visit the fisheries there. Always fascinated by deep-sea fishing, Grenfell was intrigued by the prospective journey.

But Grenfell had other matters to consider as well. For one thing, he had just finished his medical studies at Oxford. For another, he had recently committed his life to Christ after hearing the preaching of evangelist Dwight L. Moody.

So the invitation excited Grenfell and troubled him at the same time. Was this just a frivolous excursion when he should be getting on with the rest of his life?

When the young man asked his mother for advice, she responded, “I would use daily the words of Psalm 143:10.”

Grenfell went to Newfoundland—but it was not merely a pleasure trip. His vacation became his vocation. For the next forty-two years Grenfell served as a medical missionary in Labrador and Newfoundland, setting up hospitals and nursing stations, and equipping them by using dog teams and motorboats.

Whatever you do today, ask God to teach you to do his will.

When doubts and fears arise,

Teach me thy way!

When storm clouds fill the skies,

Teach me thy way!

Shine through the wind and rain,

Through sorrow, grief and pain;

Make now my pathway plain,

Teach me thy way!

B. MANSELL RAMSEY

Bible Networking

We need to be careful not to be hard of hearing when it comes to God’s unfailing love and guidance (verses 8 and 10). Read Job 33:14-16; 36:10; and Isaiah 50:5.

Notable Quotable

“Knowledge without obedience is lame. Obedience without knowledge is blind; and we must never hope for acceptance if we offer the blind and the lame to God.”

VINCENT ALSOP