“The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. " I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalms 32:8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.32.8.NLT
The Lord’s engagement in our lives reminds me of a good mother’s love.
Reflection
Listen to these words about what the Lord does in our lives:
- Guide: The Lord guides us. This is a “whole of life” type of guidance. He knows how we are made and wired, right down to our very DNA. There is no one better positioned to give us guidance and direction.
- Along: God is with us. We are not on this journey alone.
- The best pathway: God has our best interests in mind. He has the big picture for our life direction. He also understands the right paths for us to take. There is no getting lost in the wilderness of life with God.
- Advise: We get the best advice from the Lord. Any subject, challenge, or issue is within God’s ability to respond to. His counsel is a source of wisdom.
- Watch over: God does not just set us up with the best way to live in our lives. He watches over us every step of the way.
What a great gift of love, presence, and care this is from God.
Encouragement
I see this way of God reflected best in the love of a good mother. A good mother’s love is the most tenacious form of love we experience in this world.
As I consider the love of both of my mothers (Muriel gave me birth and lived until my late 20s. Yvonne lived through my adult years until my early 60s. Both were an incredible blessing to me. Both are home with Jesus now.) I see these qualities of Christ in the way they loved me.
As I listen to Bev reflect on the love of her mother (LaVerne went home to be with Jesus 22 years ago; her example and influence continue to grace our family today), the words in today’s scripture reflect the way she loved her family.
As I consider the love of my wife and the mother of our family, Bev, I see the beauty of this courageous love for our children reflecting the qualities of God.
I am grateful for the faithfulness of God expressed through the faithfulness of a good mother’s love.
Reminder
Do you know the words that follow this verse in scripture? It sounds like something a good mother would say:
“Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” Psalms 32:9 NLT.
Here are a few examples of Mom’s way of saying this that might be more familiar to your ears:
- If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.
- Please don’t speak to me in that tone.
- Keep your head about you in this situation.
- Don’t be so stubborn.
- Be safe.
These words of every good mother surround all of this: I will always love you no matter what.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for guiding us along the best pathways in a troubled world.
Thank you for advising and watching over our lives.
Thank you for the love of a good mother who offers a living example of your truth.
We are also grateful for the reminder to live a life of self-control and discipline.
In your name, Jesus, we pray,
Amen