Lord, I Need Your Direction - Your Nightly Prayer- July 21st
Lord, I Need Your Direction
By Sophia Bricker
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." - Psalm 119:105
SOMETHING TO PONDER
We have all heard the saying made famous by Franklin D. Roosevelt: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Yet, when it comes to the future, some of our fears are warranted. That job we worked so hard to obtain could be gone in a few months or even within a couple of years; a loved one’s health might not get any better; and conditions in the world could increasingly become more unstable. Allowing fear to control us is not something we, as people pursuing wisdom, want, but neither should we blindly turn away from legitimate concerns and problems that need to be addressed.
When decisions and doubts about the future nag us throughout the day and keep us from falling asleep at night, we are reminded of our weakness and neediness. A decision is required unless we want to continue being haunted by “what-ifs” and unanswerable questions about the future. We can do our part by turning to the One who holds the future and our entire lives in His hands. The Lord will probably not reveal every detail or provide us with a meticulously drawn map, but Scripture tells us that He has provided us with a lamp and light to guide us – His Word.
God’s perfect Word can provide us with the guidance we need to make decisions about the future. We can weigh our options against the Lord’s wise commands, and consider which way forward is the one that honors Him best. Of course, this does not mean the decisions we must make will be easier. But with Scripture’s illuminating light, we will be able to better gather our bearings and know which direction to go.
We do not walk alone on this path because the Light of the World, Jesus, is with us. He is the One who came into the world’s darkness to liberate all humanity from bondage to the sinful nature so that we can live in holiness and righteousness as we follow Him. Our Lord is beside us, and Scripture is leading us, so we do not have to fear walking in darkness again (John 8:12).
So, maybe we should better steward those restless nights and allow them to teach us something – our future is uncertain, yet God has not left us without help. Let us grab our lamps and journey confidently forward with eyes fixed on our Savior.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Lord,
I need direction. The future looms threateningly over me, and I fear what lies ahead on the path of my life. Which way should I go because I am stuck between options? Lead me, O Lord, and direct my steps. For on my own, I cannot find the place where You want me to be. I trust that Your Word will be a light on my path as I travel into the unknown future. Return my focus to You, the Light of the World, so that I may make a decision that best honors You.
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1 A time when a light (whether a flashlight or candle) proved helpful. How can that memory and image encourage you to turn to Scripture when indecision plagues you?
2 Passages or verses that God has used in the past to direct your path. What were they, and which verses do you think may apply to your situation now?
3 An event from your past in which you had to follow a guide (such as during a vacation or at a museum, etc.). Were there times when you had to trust the tour guide during the process, despite not knowing where you were going? How might this help you think differently about God’s plans and direction (see Hebrews 11:8)?
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/jankovoy
Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below!
