Our Bible verse for today: “You word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 (CSB)
Our thought for today: “The answer may come one step of obedience at a time.”
I love the word picture the Psalmist paints in Psalm 119:105. There we find a faithful man seeking guidance and following the Lord. His way forward is illuminated one step at a time, and it isn’t until he has taken the next step that he’s able to see the step he is to take after that.
This is a perfect illustration of how God often guides us. Usually we’re looking for big answers to complex problems. We want to know why we are where we are; we want to see a clear path out of our situation; and we want to know how it’s all going to turn out. But seldom does God give us that much illumination all at once. More often the lamp of guidance illuminates only the next step on the path of obedience, and little more. God has probably given you a general sense of the direction He wants you to go, but the specific steps that will get you there only become clear one small step of obedience at a time.
In our Baptist churches we sometimes sing an old hymn titled “Wherever He leads I’ll Go”. The first stanza and chorus go, “Take up thy cross and follow Me”, I heard my Master say; “I gave My life to ransom thee, surrender your all today”. Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go, I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I’ll go.”
That song highlights the nature of Christian living – it involves one faithful step of obedience at a time. We know the Lord is leading us somewhere good; we may even have a vision of where that destination is; but beyond that we just need to put one step in front of the other and faithfully follow Him.
As you’re seeking guidance today remember that the guidance you receive could very well be nothing more than what you are supposed to do today, rather than next week, next month, or next year. You might not have a full plan to take you all the way to where He’s leading you. But if God shows you something you can do today that will take you one step closer to where you need to be in life, then you have the guidance you need for today.
Oak Hill Baptist Church