Getting Back in Step: Psalm 32:8

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Psalm 32:8- "I will instruct you and teach you in the way 
you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."

A seventeenth century monk by the name of Brother Lawrence captured the essence of the Christian life when he wrote in The Practice of the Presence of God, “that we need only to recognize GOD intimately present with us, to address ourselves to Him every moment..." I believe this medieval monk experienced a life in step with God. I hope this devotion helps reveal what you may need to do to get back in step with God.  

Many of us have been conditioned to think that God resides in a realm wholly disconnected from our everyday experiences. However, David reminds us that God takes an interest in us: "The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives" (Psalm 37:23). 

The truth is, you may not want God to direct the details of your life. However, God's direction provides more certainty than control. Some of us don't like to be controlled. But most of us like the feeling of certainty. We like to know our decision to change jobs is the right decision. We desire assurance that the doctor will know how to treat our child. We want confidence that the step we're taking during this season of life is the right step. God's direction relates more to giving you certainty than about controlling you.  

So how does He direct your steps? Look at Psalm 32:8 again. David describes three ways God leads you through your details:

First, He informs your thinking. God instructs (sakal) you by giving you prudent thinking. He helps you think right before you have a chance to take a wrong step. He could align your distracted thoughts to His by reframing how you think about an issue through a devotion that offers a different perspective or a scripture that increases your understanding of a problem. 

Second, He teaches you the right step to take. This word (yaw-raw) means to shoot an arrow in the right direction. God's instruction aligns your thoughts with His, but His teaching points you in the right direction. If the change you are considering represents the wrong step to take, God may redirect you so you won't make a misstep. He could point us in the right direction by placing a more experienced person in our lives or by arranging circumstances to move us in step with Him.  

Third, God counsels you through every detail. Instruction and teaching relate to God's teachable moments, such as when a thought comes to mind or an opportunity is presented. But God counsels you by whispering direction in your ear along the way. He may gently guide you from the advice of a trusted friend or a book that gives you more information about a decision.

Life Application

So what happens if this has not been your experience with God? If that is you, it does not mean that a life in step with God is not possible. God's will for you is to experience His loving Presence in every detail of your life. 
  • In every confusing decision, there is God's direction. 
  • In every quiet moment with your child at bedtime, you sense God's love.  
  • In uncertainty and stress, you acknowledge God's peace. 
  • In every gorgeous sunset, you celebrate God's glory. 
  • In moments of loneliness, you feel God's presence. 
So how can you get there? Before He will show up in your details, the essence of your life must be defined by a relationship with Him. God's original intent for you and I has always been to walk in relationship with Him much like we see with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). Here are some important changes to make to get back in step with God:

First, consider your relationship with God. Do you follow Him in every step of your life? Walking in step with God again starts with turning your life into the direction of His presence!

When you have taken that step, get real with God about where you are. In every season, both good and bad, acknowledge the reality of life. For example, you may think, "I work in an office. I am a housewife. I homeschool. I am angry. I am sick of this addiction. My marriage needs hope. I am a widow or a widower. I want to be married. I am unemployed. I am depressed. I am satisfied." Deal with God specifically about where you are and what you think about this season. This step is vital to get back in step with God. No more masks! 

Then allow God into your season by surrendering it to Him. Move past what is or is not working in your life by making your life about Him. For example, if you're unemployed, surrender your anxiety to Him. Keep praying something like this out loud, "God I don't know what you have for me around the corner, but I trust you to order my steps today so I can know you and your perfect plan." Whatever your season, keep crying out loud to God. By praying out loud He can change how you think about this season. Seek God from where you are and don't give up!

Finally, discipline yourself to look for God in every detail. Learn to have a conversation with Him throughout every day concerning every detail of your life. Anticipate God to bring you back in step with Him. It may sound strange, but remember God is present in every step if you live in a surrendered relationship with Him. 

By taking these steps, you can get back to God's original intent for you. Your everyday life really can be a walk in step with Him in the garden!

Enjoy this video as you think about what God is speaking to your heart right now:



Below is a link to help you become more familiar with the life of Brother Lawrence:









 

This site is a devotional blog for followers of Jesus who want to explore the deeper things of God.

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