Teach me Your paths Psalm 25

Teach me Your paths God wants us to involve Him in the major decisions of our lives But how are we to discern God’s guidance in important matters- the roads and routes of our lives? This Psalm gives us six steps that we can use to faithfully guide us

Prayer and submission (v 1 - 2) Teach me Your paths Prayer and submission (v 1 - 2) David submits himself to God in this opening prayer We lift up our souls – we pray We need to have an attitude that we will not only listen for God’s direction but we will also follow it when it comes Pray for both guidance and protection on the road that God shows us

Teach me Your paths Clear the way (v 7, 18, 19) We need to ensure that there is nothing in our behaviour, thoughts or attitudes that may block us clearly hearing the Lord No room for selfish ambitions No room for covetous desires Be honest with ourselves if we have weaknesses that need to be dealt with before we can move on We pray for God to guide us, not for Him to rubberstamp our own plans

Teach me Your paths Use the Scriptures(v 5) God will never ask us to do something that is contrary to His Word There is guidance on our attitudes to such things as: our use of money seeking God’s Kingdom above all else whom we should not become yoked to (can apply to jobs as well as relationships) things which may be lawful but not beneficial for us (1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23)

Consider the options (v 9) Teach me Your paths Consider the options (v 9) Personal discernment If we are humble in our attitudes God will guide us If any man lack wisdom he should ask the Lord (James 1:5) God has given us a “sound mind” with which to make decisions (2 Timothy 1:7) Sanctified common sense

God overrules circumstances (v 8, 12) Teach me Your paths God overrules circumstances (v 8, 12) Two words for “teach” in the Psalm v 4, 5 and 9 – gain understanding v 8,12 – guide, point out, direct Don’t be alarmed at minor setbacks to our plans – God may still be at work Don’t lay too great a store by coincidences – make sure the other steps still point in a particular direction

Teach me Your paths Feeling assured (v 14) Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit “A sitting down in intimate consultation” This should be the final stage – are we at peace about a decision? Remember Jeremiah’s warning – the heart is deceitfully wicked...(Jeremiah 17:9)

Teach me Your paths So what about us? Rejoice that God is with us Rejoice that God wants to be involved in our lives Rejoice that He has a perfect plan Submit to His plan and His ways and He will guide us Ensure we use every means He has made available to us to guide us