July 3rd
“8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. 9Do 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. 10Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. 11Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” Psalm 32:8-11 NKJV
This passage illustrates two ways we can receive guidance for life. The best way is to seek God through a daily relationship with Him. Things that help us learn and understand God’s ways are scripture study, prayer and worship. These all help us to direct our attention to God, instead of on our own circumstances. God says that he will instruct us, teach us and counsel us when we walk with him. When we walk with him, the final outcome is life.
The alternative way for guidance is much more painful. It familiarizes us with the sorrows of being enslaved to sin. When we don’t make God the master of our lives, sin is our master by default. The painful consequences of our sins are like a horse’s bit and bridle. They condition us and tame us through pain. The final outcome is death.
Sex addiction provides many sorrows that remind us that sin is our master. If we don’t turn from our sin and make God our master, we will continue to spiral downward in our addiction. Our mind and understanding will continue to grow darker as the addiction consumes our life.
The way of life and freedom is just a choice away. When we invite God to take over our lives and rescue us from our depravity, he will answer our cry. Consider what David wrote about a time when God rescued him:
“The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 5 The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called to the LORD ; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. 7 The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. 8 Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. 9 He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. 10 He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him- the dark rain clouds of the sky. 12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. 13 The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them. 15 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils. 16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.” Psalm 18:4-17 NIV
Questions for further thought:
How can we be sure that God will help us when we ask him to with repentant hearts? (James 1:5-6, Psalm 50:15, Psalm 91:15, Isaiah 55:6-7)
What are some ways we can receive God’s guidance?
What does God surround us with when we walk in his ways? (Psalm 32:10)
Prayer:
“Father in heaven, Thank you for redeeming from me the curse of sin and death. Thank you for surrounding me with mercy and guiding me with your Spirit. Lord, I want to walk in your counsel daily. Please forgive me for practicing any sin that has clouded and corrupted my thoughts. Please cleanse me from that sin by the blood of Jesus. Please help me seek you diligently, hear your voice and see your hand moving in the situations I face each day. Thank you, Lord for being my Good Shepherd and my heavenly Father. I praise you and rejoice in you. Amen.”