by Pastor June Barrow

We know we need the Lord. As we sing together, we often pray for God to lead and guide.
“Savior, like a shepherd lead us…”
“Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah…”
“Lead On, O King Eternal…”

God has led.
Perhaps as you look back, you can see how God has led you. When I am unsettled, I find great comfort in remembering God’s faithfulness to me. He has guided me into beautiful friendships, into this wonderful congregation, and into meaningful work. He has led me to trust in His love and forgiveness and it has changed my life. It is good to recall God’s faithful guidance, as Psalm 78 does: “He brought His people out… He led them… He guided them safely…” God does not change. As He cared for us in the past, so He will care for us in the future.

God will lead.
The Bible assures us of God’s desire to lead each of us.

Your ears will hear a word behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it”… (Isaiah 30:21, NLV).
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you (Psalm 32:8, NRSV).
“And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NKJV).

God will lead us well.
As Al and I walked together through his cancer journey, we often said, “We trust in God’s character.” We can’t make God do anything, but we cry out honestly, ask fervently, and trust peacefully. Our desire is to be led into God’s will for us. We express this in the Lord’s Prayer when we say, “Your will be done…” We pray for God to lead and guide, according to His will, His purpose, His wisdom. One day from heaven we will all say, “He has done all things well.”

Ask God to lead you.
God’s guidance is for all who need it, all who ask. Here is a prayer for God’s leading:

“I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord…” Lord, I do need You. I need Your guidance because my knowing is limited. I need Your courage because my will to obey falters. I need Your assurance that You are stretching a path before me even though I can’t be sure of every turn it will take. I need Your presence, Your accompaniment, because I do not want to be left alone. I need Your everlasting arms beneath me so that I can know that even if I stumble, You will catch me. As Psalm 139 reminds me, there is nowhere I can go from Your presence, nowhere I can go from Your love. I love you, Lord. Guide me. In Jesus’ name, I offer this prayer. Amen.