02/28/2020
We are headstrong in so many ways, and a great deal of the time we insist on going our own way, or doing our own thing, but God’s desire is that we follow His guidance. By blazing our own trail we come to find ourselves seeking His deliverance from various messes we have created, rather than living a peaceful life, and thanking Him for it. Does this sound familiar? Do you seek God’s good counsel, or take your own path?
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”
Psalms 32:8 ESV
I was working on my car in the driveway of my parent’s home; you see I never had enough money to take my cars to a real garage when they broke down so I had to fix them myself. On this particular day I was changing the oil, replacing the spark plugs, putting new points in the distributor, adjusting the timing, and tuning the carburetors. It was basically maintenance, and wasn’t a particularly hard fix... except for the dual carburetors that had to be adjusted individually, and then tuned to one another. Most cars only had one carb, but my little Austin Healy Sprite had two sensitive, and cantankerous, SU carburetors, and they could be a pill to adjust.
So it was a sunny Saturday afternoon, and I was working along with little trouble... that is until I had completed everything except for the carburetors... and they were giving me fits. I heard the screen door close, and without looking up I knew it was my father; I could smell the sweet aroma of his pipe, and hear his heavy footsteps as they stopped behind me. He stood there quietly watching me for a few minutes, and then asked if I could use some advice, but before he could offer it I snapped back that I had this! He watched for a couple more minutes and then returned to the house. I was frustrated, tired, and being headstrong I had lashed out at his offer to help.
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”
Isaiah 30:21 ESV
Looking at my faith, and my tendency to be bullheaded in it, I am painfully aware that from time to time I can do the exact same thing with my Heavenly Father. I can refuse His guidance when in fact I actually need it, and when it would not only make my life easier, but also save me a great deal of pain and suffering. Are you like me in this regard? Rather than asking for advice and guidance do you pridefully press on until the situation becomes unbearable, or disaster looms, and then ask for rescue?
“they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.”
Psalms 107:27-29 ESV
Well, finally the sun was beginning to set, and I was no closer to tuning my carburetors than I had been hours before, so with my hat in my hand I went to the front door of the house, and after apologizing for snapping at him, I asked my father for help. He took a long puff on his pipe, and without saying a word he put his hand on my shoulder and walked with me to the car... in a few minutes we were washing our hands, and the job was finished.
“"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?”
Matthew 7:7-10 ESV
God helps us when we finally turn to Him too, but He would much rather that we come to Him first. By running off in our own direction we really don’t deserve His attention, yet He gives it to us anyway... He is our Father, and He loves us.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
James 1:5-8 ESV
So when should we seek the counsel and guidance of God our Father? When do we pray about the tasks that lie ahead, or the trouble that confronts us? Our inclination is to rush into these things and attempt them ourselves, but if we will lay aside our self assuredness, and pride, and seek God first two things will happen... our relationship will be stronger, and our lives will be made easier, and more peaceful.
“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
Isaiah 58:11 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being my counselor, and my guide through life. Thank you for the wisdom you share so freely, and for the patience you show me in those times when I go off on my own without coming to you first. You are merciful Lord, and when I stumble along of my own accord you are faithful, and full of grace; extending your hand. When I place my own understanding above yours you do not force my hand, but wait knowingly as I finally fall, and then call out for your rescue. I pray that you guide me in all of my life, and counsel me in all situations I face; the good, and the bad. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who treats me like a wayward son who has at last returned home. Merciful are you who waits to hear my voice of contrition as I ask for your deliverance. Loving are you who forgives, and comes to my rescue, but joyous are you when I come to you first, and lean on you. Praised be your name for leading me in your wise ways. Great are you who makes my way straight, and clears the obstacles from my way. Hear my prayers Father as I ask your guidance, and then walk with me... giving me counsel, and keeping you hand on me forevermore.
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.”
Psalms 37:23-25 ESV
Rich Forbes