What does depending on God for instruction look like? David demonstrated trust in God throughout his life and especially in his writings in Psalm 25, where he leans into the training of the Lord during difficult times. Many people seek out help and wisdom from friends, family, and counselors when life gets hard, but for the believer, the first place we should run to is the Lord.

Trust begins with humble submission – “make me to know your ways, O Lord.” Not only does David proclaim that he is ignorant in knowing the “ways of the Lord,” but he declares his dependence on the Lord to “make him to know your ways.” In other words, David opens himself up to being disciplined, trained, and taught by the Lord.

Discipline, by definition, is the practice of putting someone through training to develop a code of behavior or change of attitude. The practice of discipline is to train and teach an individual in an area that they are not familiar with in order for that person to become successful in a certain field or even in life. For believers to discover the will of God in their lives and to grow in the faith and knowledge of the Lord Jesus, God must teach them through training and discipline by “making us to know His way,” so we stop going our way.

The world has abandoned the concept of discipline and instruction, thus being led by feelings and emotions. And worse yet, the church has become biblically illiterate because the church as a whole has stopped submitting itself to God’s discipline, instruction, and leading according to His Word. God wants to teach His children His ways and His Word. To those who submit to His instruction and guidance will experience peace, protection, and the presence of God throughout their life.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6, NASB95)

In His Service,
Pastor Cary