Scripture Reference: – Psalm 32:8-10
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule,which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridleor they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked,but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him”
It doesn't matter how big or small your problems, situations, or decisions may be, the Lord has given His promise that He “will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” We need to humble ourselves, seek the Lord, and ask Him to guide us in the way we should go.
It seems simple. If we belong to God, He doesn’t promise us a life of luxury and ease, where everything will always go our way just because we are a believer. Plain and simple, we live in a world of trouble, and its share is going to come knocking on your door, sooner or later. Christians can minimize much of that trouble by listening to and following the instructions laid out in God’s Word. It is the divine guidebook for life. God’s word is filled with wonderful blessings alongside many warnings if we stray off of the narrow path, and wander onto the path of the world.
It’s easy for me to read passages like the beloved Psalm before us, and think that all we have to do is listen to God, follow His instructions, and put our full faith and trust in Him. The Lord keeps His promises; “If we will honor Him, He will honor us.” Yes, it seems so simple, that is unless you're dealing with a very weak and immature Christian. These people are a playground for Satan, and sadly he doesn’t have to work too hard to reach into his bag of lies and dirty tricks and tempt them to follow the path that leads to destruction.
I guess I’m still a little reeling about some sorrowful news I received last night from my dear friend and West coast director of our ministry. I’m not going to go over the whole mess, as I outlined what happened in last night’s devotional. I will sum it up like this. His grandson, a young man in his early 20’s, found himself in jail over the weekend. In the previous couple of years, his grandfather had taken him under his wing and given him amazing counsel as to how to straighten out his life and start living his life according to the truth and precepts of God’s Word.
This meant among other things, to stop the regular use of pot, and to distance himself from an ex-girlfriend who was nothing but trouble. Sadly, the lure of fleshly desires and the glamor of what the world offers was too much temptation. This young man has now found himself in jail, facing serious charges that if proven to be true, could easily find himself with a 25-life sentence in a state prison. It’s depressing to think of a life thrown away when he could have just as easily gone in the right direction. He’s living proof that you reap what you sow. Let’s look at something more encouraging, – our text in Psalm 32.
A Quick Look At The Text
Prior verses noted the blessing of being forgiven of sin (Psalm 32:1-4) and the painful experience which comes from resisting God’s conviction of sin (Psalm 32:5-7). Here, the advice being given comes from God, or from David. Some commentators believe that David is speaking, but I agree with the many others to believe that it is God speaking. The practical application is the same, regardless of who is meant to be speaking these words. Commentators differ on which is intended but agree on the overall meaning of the passage.
Those who FOLLOW godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) can expect to LEARN the best way to live life (Proverbs 8:34-36). David disregarded God’s plan by sinning (Psalm 51:1). A loving parent keeps his eyes on his child. He sees where the child endangers himself - perhaps by not looking as he crosses the street. Then the parent calls the child and tells him what to do.
How does the Lord teach and guide believers? Jesus said He goes before His sheep and they FOLLOW Him (John 10:4). The apostle Peter indicates that Christ left us an example, so that we might follow in His steps (l Peter 2:21).
Jesus' life and complete submission to the Father, therefore, teaches and guides believers.
Further, the Scripture provides instruction so believers can be what God wants them to be and do what He wants them to do (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Psalm 119:105 testifies “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,”
And, of course, the indwelling Holy Spirit guides and transforms believers (Romans 8:26-30); l Corinthians 2:10-16; Philippians 2:12-13.
Let’s break down these few verses in Psalm 32 and look at several ways in which God’s divine guidance helps us to stay on the narrow path.
A Promise of GOD'S Leadership (Psalm 32:8)
Now God draws us close in his Secret Place with an assurance of his presence and his on-going care for us.
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." (Psalm 32:8, NIV)
First, God promises “instruction”. The verb here is śākal, with the idea of giving insight, comprehension, wisdom. This isn't formal "book-learning." Rather, it consists of practical insights on the "way, path, or road" that we should travel, guidance for our direction, instruction on our way of living. God will give us practical wisdom to help us prosper in our everyday lives -- if we will listen.
Next, he promises to teach his own. This “teaching” suggests more formal instruction. As God taught Moses both what to do and say (Exodus 4:15) and instructed those who fear him in what direction to go (Psalm 25:8-9, 10-12), so he promises to lead us. The Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, the Counselor, the Comforter will teach us all things, remind us of what Jesus said (John 14:26), and guide us into all truth (John 16:13).
Finally, God promises wise counsel based on our circumstances, literally: "I will counsel you with my eye upon you." (Psalm 32:8, ESV)
My mental image is of a helicopter hundreds of feet above us radioing down to us conditions ahead so that we can make good decisions. God knows the path ahead.
When David was fleeing from his son Absalom, one of David's greatest concerns was that Absalom would follow the wise counsel of Ahithophel, the king's advisor.
"Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom." (2 Samuel 16:23)
But Absalom disregarded Ahithophel's counsel at a crucial juncture, and David was saved.
How much more valuable is the counsel, the timely advice, of the Most High? So often we neglect to seek his counsel, or we don't listen carefully, or, even worse, we go against it.
God is a good, good Father. In working out his divine plans, He seeks our good also.
"And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)
As I consider Psalm 32:8, I marvel that God doesn't command or order us here. Rather, He teaches, enlightens, and counsels us in his Secret Place so that we can make good decisions ourselves. If you order the lives of your children beyond their early years, they can never grow to maturity. God leads the way and trusts us to follow. That is our part in this journey of faith.
Don't Be a Mule! (Psalm 32:9)
The alternative to seeking God's counsel, of course, is stubbornness.
We humans start out as extremely self-centered infants. We feed, we mess diapers, we sleep, and we cry when something isn't quite to our liking. But we change (I hope). We grow. We respond to love and to discipline. Our parents patiently teach us in a thousand moments to listen, to obey, to be polite, to love, to care about others. All is well -- and then we become teenagers, hard-wired by the Creator to become independent of our parents. Those years can be tough, and some of us never outgrow the rebelliousness. God warns us through the psalmist:
"Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understandingbut must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you." (Psalm 32:8-9)
Have you grown to the point that God can take off the bridle that forces you to go a particular direction? Do you come to God of your own free will or only when you're afraid? Does your path of life indicate your trust in him or only in yourself?
Two Paths (Psalm 32:10)
In verse 10, the psalmist offers two paths, two choices -- pain or God's solid love.
"Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him." (Psalm 32:10, NIV)
The Hebrew word behind the "woes" (NIV), "sorrows" (ESV, KJV), "torments" (NRSV) of the wicked suggests mental anguish. You would think that when we choose the path that offers the most pleasure (hedonism) we would end up being happy. But the end of that road is misery -- on earth and beyond.
The alternative is being recipients of God's steadfast, unfailing love. The Hebrew noun is “hesed”. No one English word encompasses the full meaning. Essentially, hesed is unremitting love within a covenant relationship, even when one party fails or is unfaithful to the covenant. When you consider hesed, you think of a word developed by Paul in the New Testament -- "grace" (Greek “charis”) -- favor that is extended to a person unilaterally, not on the basis of how well one performs or behaves or reciprocates that love. Grace, hesed, steadfast love is God's favor that is neither earned nor deserved.
Final Thought
The promise of God’s guidance in Psalm 32:8 is followed by the cautionary picture of a horse or mule that requires a bit and bridle to keep it in check. It refuses to go where the master wants it to go without the pain and pressure caused by the bit and bridle. David warns us not to be like this stubborn animal because refusal to submit leads to “much sorrow” (v. 10). It is here David ends the song with renewed joy:
“But he who trusts in the Lord, loving kindness shall SURROUND him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart” (Psalm 32:110-11 NASB).
God wants to guide us in the way we should go, but our experience of His guidance is determined by our response to His guidance.
Hebrews 12:6 tells us “the Lord DISCIPLINES those He loves”. When we’re not submitted to God’s leading, we can experience His guidance through pain and pressure—discipline—like the bit and bridle, and like the heaviness of rebellion described by David earlier in the psalm.
Or we can experience God’s guidance joyfully and as an expression of His lovingkindness when we’re submitted to Him and trust in Him.
When we receive the grace bought for us by Jesus Christ and experience the joy of fellowship with Him, we can also enjoy His gentle guidance by staying attentive to His instruction by reading and studying His Word, and submitting to His leading by responding to His Word in obedience.
Has God been guiding you with His “eye upon you”? Has He been giving you “the look” in some area of your life? How will you respond?
Dear friends, don't be like a stubborn mule, the Lord says, Let me teach you. Let my steadfast love surround you. Don't resist me. Sin causes us to run away from God, to "kick against the goads" (Acts 26:14). Relax, let your fear and distrust, your rebellion and sin fall away, and hear his words of instruction to you.
From: FIght the Good Fight of Faith / Life Journal: by Gregg Harris
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