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.

God's Favour Is For Life

"Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. ⁵ For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Psalm 30:4-5

One attribute of God I find comforting is His immutability, the fact He does not change.  This means God is glorious and good now and forever, and He will always stay true to His word.  What security and rest we have by faith in our Creator who always loves us without fail.  His grace, mercy and goodness have no end.  David urged all to sing praise to the LORD and to give thanks, and He is our sole source of joy and life.

Though God is eternal and all His attributes infinite, His "anger is but for a moment."  The God who is infinite in power has set divine limits upon His anger.  The redeemed of the LORD praise God for this!  Those who die in their sins will face His wrath forever and ever, yet for those who trust in Jesus Christ God's anger has an end.  Our lives on earth are compared to a breath or a vapour that quickly disappears, and God's anger is temporal and quickly passes away as well.  No matter how long or dark the night seems, children of God by the power of the Gospel are assured of a joyous day approaching where there shall no longer be death, tears or night:  only light, love and joy in God's presence.

Imagine if God's anger burned forever!  Imagine if His love, forgiveness, life and joy were only for a moment!  If this was the case, it would be good never having been born.  For all who have been born again by faith in Jesus, His anger is but for a moment.  When God judged Israel for their sin when David numbered the people, in a matter of days God said to the angel who destroyed, "It is enough.  Put your sword back in the sheath."  Not once has God said this concerning freely giving His love and grace towards sinful flesh.  Grief and sorrow that accompany this life are temporary, but His favour is for an abundant life through Jesus that goes on and on without intermission.

It is a rare thing to sing songs to someone except on their birthday, yet it is always fitting to direct songs of praise to God who puts new life and joy into our hearts by His everlasting grace and love.  Give thanks at the memory of God's holy name, for He is good and His mercy endures forever.

Enter With Thanksgiving

The best celebrations are ones fit for every day, and Thanksgiving is one of them.  I appreciate how the term "thanksgiving" remains in the present tense because there are always reasons to presently praise and thank God for the wondrous things He does.  Since God is good and always was, is and is to come, all He has done, is doing and will do is absolutely worthy of thanksgiving.

In light of God and His grace to all, Psalm 100:1-5 is a glorious exhortation God's people ought take to heart and practice:  "Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! ² Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. ³ Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. ⁴ Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. ⁵ For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations."

Nehemiah as cupbearer took care not to be sad in the presence of his king as cupbearer, and we ought to approach God with thanksgiving and praise.  But the Bible also reveals the Messiah to be a man "of sorrows, acquainted with grief."  He is not disgusted by the sorrowing heart nor repulsed by people who are overcome with grief.  All who come to God by faith in Christ He will not cast out, even though we mourn.  It was Jesus who said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)  Even in the depths of pain and grief we can rejoice in the LORD with thanksgiving, for we have the promise of comfort found nowhere else.  Our Saviour Jesus who drank the cup of wrath and death sinners deserved gives us forgiveness, salvation and eternal life we are ever thankful for.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, for Jesus Christ is the Door through whom we enter into the kingdom of God as He said in John 10:9:  "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."  Thanks be to God for the salvation He has given us and the abundant life provided by faith in Jesus.  Come to God with thanksgiving and praise for He has made us His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter in and abide with thanksgiving "for the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations."

Good Courage and Good Success

After Moses died, God spoke to Joshua and repeatedly encouraged him to "be strong and of good courage" because God would be with him wherever he went.  God said in Joshua 1:6-9, "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. ⁸ This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

It is interesting Joshua was exhorted to be of "good" courage.  This suggests there is a sort of courage that is not good, a courage not grounded in faith in the God who alone is good.  There is a courage that comes from a sense of duty and obligation as well as courage that springs from self-confidence.  There is a courage in the heat of the moment in a boost of adrenaline, and courage bold to take risks out of greed, pride and ambition.  The Philistines rallied when they heard the Ark of God had been brought into the camp of Israel, but their victory came because God delivered the Israelites into their hand.  Samson rose up with self-confidence to free himself and overcome his attackers, but courage in his own abilities was misplaced.  Good courage is that which throws itself wholly upon the LORD for strength, guidance and help to accomplish all God has commanded.  The Book of the Law which directed Moses to do God's will would also guide Joshua in his role ordained by God to lead the people into the land God promised to give them.

God revealed "good" courage was the path to prosperity and "good success."  Studying this passage in context reveals "good" success is not what a person fancies or desires but is directly tied to faith in God and doing His will.  Everyone is attracted to promises of prosperity and success because we often have selfish motivation with the primary aim to benefit ourselves.  People imagine prosperity to speak of monetary wealth and success means a favourable outcome for the desires of our hearts--which may have nothing to do with God, His plans, purposes or glory.  When Jesus was addressed as "good teacher," He responded in Mark 10:18:  "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God."  The only way we can have "good" courage and have "good" success is by faith in the Living God who is good.

The sure promises of God quickened Joshua to be strong and of good courage, and all who trust in Jesus Christ have the unshakable foundation provided in God's word.  Hebrews 13:5-6 says, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ⁶ So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"  Good success for Joshua was to fearlessly enter the land of Canaan and divide it according to God's direction, and good success for Christians is to live an abundant life of contentment without covetousness or the fear of man.  These strongholds in our hearts can be cast down by those who are strong and of good courage by faith in Jesus the Word of God, for He is good and glorious.  By faith and obedience to Jesus we will find our way prosperous because Jesus is the Way.