Daily Devotions

 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” – Psalm 32:8–9 (NIV)

Sometimes, even with the best maps or GPS, we still take a wrong turn.
We get lost, confused, disoriented. Eventually, we do the humbling thing—pull over and ask someone for directions.

Spiritually, Psalm 32 captures that moment of humility—when we stop relying on our own sense of direction and ask God to lead us.

In these verses, God gives us more than just directions—He gives us presence.
He doesn’t bark orders from a distance. He promises to instruct, teach, and counsel, all with His loving eye on us. This is the care of a watchful Father, not a controlling master.

But then comes the caution:

“Don’t be like the horse or mule.”
In other words, don’t be so stubborn that God has to drag you toward what's best. He doesn't want to control you by force—He wants to lead you by love.
God’s guidance is not for the resistant, but for the willing.

It reminds me of something the late songwriter Rich Mullins once said when asked how to discover God’s will. He replied with characteristic honesty and wit:

“God’s will usually isn’t that complicated. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbour as yourself. Start there.
If God wants something unusual—like sending you to Egypt—He’ll make it obvious. You might even get sold into slavery by eleven jealous brothers.”

His words are lighthearted, but the truth is solid:
We often look for specific answers when God is calling us back to simple faithfulness.
Instead of obsessing over perfect decisions or future outcomes, we’re invited to love well—God and neighbour. When our hearts are aligned with that calling, the rest becomes clearer in time.

So maybe you’re facing a choice today. A fork in the road. A season of waiting.
Before rushing to find the next signpost or answer, ask yourself:

Which path helps me love God more?
Which one helps me serve others more freely?

That may just be the compass you need.

Prayer:

Lord,
We come before You with hearts that long to be led—not forced, but shaped by Your love.
Thank You for being our steady guide in seasons of confusion and our strength in times of decision.
Teach us, counsel us, and keep Your loving eye on us.
Help us not to resist You, but to walk with trust and joy in Your way.
Lift the burdens that weigh us down, and let Your peace lead us forward.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen