READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l How intentional are we in seeking God’s guidance? Often, there are two extremes. One extreme is not seeking God’s guidance at all, and relying on our own wisdom and ability. The other extreme is either “Bible dipping”, where we dip into scripture and spiritualise it as guidance applying to us; or “fleece seeking” in asking for superficial signs. In challenging times, we want answers and to know the outcome. But God does not map out his guidance like a GPS. Today’s text shows us how to approach God’s guidance for our lives. The Psalmist too was crying out for guidance.
Three discipleship points:
The Guide, then the guidance (v 5-8, 10)
The issue is that we want the guidance more than the Guide. We get the priority wrong. The Psalmist focuses first on the Guide, when seeking guidance. While the Bible does not provide specific situational guidance, it does focus on the character of the Guide – God’s faithfulness, love and mercy. Even when we don’t get specific guidance, God is sovereignly faithful in our lives and holds it all together. God’s mercy and steadfast love (v 6) have been from of old (e.g. Exo 34:6). Through the cross, the Guide has become the guidance. When we need guidance, we can turn to the cross and Christ.
The world exists on contractual love. But God’s love for us is a covenantal. God will do his part even if we don’t do ours. If God’s love is contractual, we will all be dead by now because there is no way we can repay for our sins. We need the merciful and gracious covenantal love of God, as shown through the giving of his son Jesus Christ on the cross. God remembers our sin no more according to His steadfast love. (v7) Such is the amazing love of God, whenever we return to him.
We often focus more on the green pastures and forget that it is the shepherd we need to put our hearts on (Ps 23). Our delight is in the Guide and not just the guidance. “God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too good to be unkind. So, when you don’t see His plan, when you can’t trace His hand, we can trust His heart.” (Babbie Mason) God is our trustworthy Guide.
Offer humble dependence (v9)
If we want guidance, it starts with humility. God leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. We can easily mistake ourselves to be humble. The Hebrew word for humble refers to the poor, afflicted and meek. Their posture of humility stems from being wholly dependent on God. We are teachable when we have humility. We truly need God’s wisdom which is peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit. Let us humble ourselves and acknowledge that we wholly depend on God. In contrast, earthly wisdom is filled with selfish ambition and a self-centred lack of the need for God.
Wait with hope-filled readiness (v3,5)
The Psalmist calls on us to wait. Spiritual waiting on God is necessary for our discipleship. We wait for God’s time, ways and purposes. It is in Godly patience that our souls are tutored by God. It is not a passive waiting, but of hoping expectantly and being ready to act when God’s guidance comes. To wait on the Lord is having a daily relationship – through reading the Bible, prayer, worship and serving others. We cultivate a posture of being ready to hear and act when God direct us. Our devotional time is when God breathes and gives us his living word for the day. We can trust that God’s guidance will be for his glory and our welfare. Our noisy and distracted hearts are often not ready for God to direct us. We are impatient and expect God to speak whenever we want him to; but God doesn’t work that way. God has His own time. We are invited to wait. It is fully worthwhile to seemingly “waste time” being with God. Ironically, when we let go of our insistence on hearing from God, then He speaks! We receive God’s love and are rested in His presence. When we are transformed from the inside out, the guidance from God becomes clearer. God knows all our destinations — where we need to go, to pause and to stop – we don’t.
God’s advice is not like a well mapped GPS route. Rather, His guidance comes as we enjoy the walk and relish the journey. If God is truly our loving shepherd, let us be his sheep, trusting his guidance to pastures green and still waters. Even through the valley of the shadow of death we needn’t fear. Our Lord leads and protects. Surely His goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life.
It is about the Guide then the guidance; about offering our humble dependence and about waiting with a hope-filled readiness.
(Sermon notes by Denis Koh)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What are the two ways of using the Word when we are desperate for God’s guidance?
- Why should we focus on God’s character instead of just the guidance He gives?
- How does Psalm 25 point out God’s character? What are the three aspects of His character the Psalm highlights?
- Why is it important to trust in God’s sovereign faithfulness?
- What does the Psalm tell us about God’s mercy and love? How does the love of God assure you?
- What kind of humility should we bring to God? In what areas of your life do you feel you need to depend more on Him?
- What kind of waiting does the Psalmist call us to do (v 3, 5)? How do we wait and be ready for God to guide?
- What discipleship lessons have you gleaned from the sermon? Commit them to prayer and obedience.
