Guided With God's Eye

The Bible is an awesome revelation of the living God so man might know and worship Him.  I was blessed beyond measure to read this passage today where David, in the midst of expressing faith in God, received first-person guidance from God he trusted in Psalm 32:7-10:  "You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah ⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. ⁹ Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you. ¹⁰ Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him."

David found God to be a refuge and help in time of trouble, the God who surrounded him with songs of deliverance.  The Psalms are packed with songs that begin in the midst of conflict and trouble resolved with deliverance and thanksgiving to the God who faithfully preserves His people.  God promised to instruct and teach David (and by extension those who seek the LORD) in the way He should go.  God employed the illustration of a horse and mule that must be fitted with bit and bridle so the rider could direct the animal in battle, for use in transport or as a beast of burden.  In contrast to a rider tugging on reins God promised, "I will guide you with My eye."  This is an amazing promise indeed.  We would be happy with an audible voice from heaven, even with physical restraints to remind and direct us to seek God and walk in His ways.

A rider guides a horse knowing the destination and the way to go; a mule is guided  to labour profitably.  God is able to see what horse, mule and rider cannot see, for He wears no blinders, knows the secret thoughts and motives of man, and has infinitely greater plans and purposes beyond what we can imagine.  The New Testament fleshes out by the Gospel how the child of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, is empowered and led by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.  How wondrous, that the pure Holy Spirit who knows and sees all would take up residence within us and help us be spiritually fruitful, to guide us according to God's love!  Jesus promised His disciples the Holy Spirit in their hour of need would lead them in what to say, for the Holy Spirit would speak through them (Mark 13:11).  It is an interesting thing to be guided by God's eye, for He is able to provide clear signals even without an audible voice to those who look to Him in faith.

In verse 7 David said the one who seeks refuge in God will be surrounded with songs of deliverance, and in verse 10 wrote mercy surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.  When we come to God He does not saddle us with keeping the Law of Moses, nor is the bit and bridle of religious tradition forced between our teeth pulled by the fear of man:  God guides us with His eye.  Like a sheep that responds obediently to come to the shepherd at his call, so we are to heed and obey Jesus Christ who is the Way.  We are called to love one another as Jesus loves us, and the God who knows all guides us with His eye.  Those whom come to Christ in faith will be instructed and taught in the way of righteousness, for Jesus is righteousness for us.