The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers

Matthew 21:33-43

Our Gospel reading today continues in a series of parables that the Lord Jesus told a couple of days before His arrest and crucifixion.  Today’s parable tells of a rather shocking scenario, and was told specifically to the Pharisees and religious leaders in Jerusalem and the Temple.  The message that this parable gave was one that would have angered them, and made them all the more determined to see that the Lord destroyed.  Let’s look at this parable which has come to be known as The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers or Husbandmen.

When reading this parable it is important to know who each person symbolizes.  Just as in the Scripture from Isaiah that we looked at earlier this week (Isaiah 5:1-7), the vineyard represents Israel.  In both passages God planted the vineyard, protected it, provided all that was necessary, and then expected fruit.  The owner is God, and the vinedressers or workers are the religious and political leaders of Israel.  The servants that were sent to collect the fruit are the prophets of God in the Old Testament.  And of course, the owner's son represents God’s own Son, Jesus Christ.

The owner of the vineyard had planted it, hedged it about, put in a wine press and a tower (vs. 33-34).  Nothing was lacking.  Similarly, Israel had God’s Law, the prophets, His covenant, protection, and Temple.  And today, believers have received great spiritual blessings through Jesus.  God expected, both then and today, for the vine to be fruitful.  The vineyard was not ornamental.  It was there to produce fruit (John 15:8).

At harvest time the owner sent his servants to collect the fruit (vs. 34-36).  These symbolized the prophets that God sent His people throughout history.  However, the workers responded violently.  They beat some, stoned some, and killed some.  The religious and political leaders consistently rejected God’s messengers.  The Lord, though, like the owner, was patient.  He didn’t immediately judge them.  He sent more servants.  The tenants became more guilty with each rejection.  That is true today.  Rejecting God’s Word brings greater accountability.

Finally the owner sent his son, who they not only rejected, but brought him out of the vineyard and killed him (vs. 37-39).  This is the central point of the parable.  The son is Jesus Christ.   The workers recognized the son’s identity, but rejected him anyway.  This mirrors the conduct of Israel’s leaders.  Many saw Jesus’ miracles and heard His teaching, but refused to submit to Him (John 1:11).  The religious leaders in Jerusalem had Jesus brought outside of the city and crucified.

Jesus then asked His listeners to pronounce judgment (vs. 40-41).  Without realizing it, they condemned themselves.  God’s patience is not endless.  Judgment eventually comes.  He is also perfectly just.  The tenants received exactly what their actions deserved.  In verse 42 Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23.  The stone is Jesus and the builders are Israel’s religious leaders.  They examined the stone and rejected it.  Yet God exalted the very One they cast aside.

The parable ends with Jesus stating something that greatly angered the Pharisees and religious leaders, and is sometimes misunderstood today (vs. 43).  This verse does not mean that Israel permanently ceases to be God’s chosen nation, that He has no future plans for Israel, or that His covenants have been canceled.  Romans 11 clearly teaches Israel’s future restoration.  It does mean that the kingdom privilege and stewardship were removed from the unbelieving Jewish leadership.  The opportunity to proclaim God’s truth would be entrusted to others.  The Church today, as in the days of the Apostles, includes both Gentile believers and believing Jews.

Israel was accountable for the light it had received.  Greater privilege brings greater responsibility.  The religious leaders knowingly rejected their Messiah, the Lord Jesus.  Their rejection led to judgment.  God still requires fruit from those entrusted with His truth.  Believers today should examine whether their lives honor the Lord.  They should respect God’s messengers, and be bearing spiritual fruit.

God graciously entrusted Israel with unparalleled spiritual privileges, repeatedly sent prophets to call the nation to repentance, and finally sent His own Son, Jesus Christ.  Israel’s religious and political leaders rejected and killed the Son, bringing divine judgment upon themselves.  Yet God’s purposes were not thwarted.  The rejected Stone became the Cornerstone, and the stewardship of God’s kingdom work was entrusted to those who receive Christ and bear fruit, both Gentile and Jewish believers.  This parable stands as both a solemn warning against rejecting Jesus and a glorious affirmation of His ultimate victory and authority.

Striving to Reach the Goal

Philippians 3:14-21

Most of us have goals in our life.  The student in the university has a goal of getting a degree in his chosen field, then getting a good job and advancing in his career.  The athlete has goals, some of them immediate, and then other long-term goals.  The rookie baseball pitcher wants to pitch a no-hitter this game, and then be picked for a major league team.  The Apostle Paul had goals in his Christian life, and encouraged other believers to also have goals, and to press on and strive to meet those goals.  In today’s Scripture he speaks of one such goal.  Let’s take a look.

As one reads through the various letters that St. Paul wrote to the churches he helped to establish, we get the impression that he was a sports enthusiast, as he often made comparisons between certain sports and various aspects of the Christian life.  One he often used was running a race, striving to reach the finish line and win the prize.  As we begin this portion of Scripture, Paul pictured a runner pressing on to reach the mark (vs. 14).  Paul was not spiritually complacent.  He energetically sought to know Jesus more fully.  The prize is not salvation, since salvation is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Instead it refers to the rewards, approval, and Christ- likeness that we can receive.

That should be a goal of ours, as well.  Don’t get side-tracked or give up.  Paul urged us to keep growing spiritually and keep serving the Lord faithfully.  When we grow weary we need to fix our eyes on Jesus.  He knows each challenge we face, and He will guide us to the finish line (Hebrews 12:1-2; I Corinthians 9:24-27).

As Paul continued, he instructed his readers that mature believers should share the same mindset (vs. 15-16).  We should all strive for humility, and desire ours and others spiritual growth, being dependent upon the Lord Jesus.  If we get confused about certain truths, God will continue to reveal them as we walk with Him.  In the meantime we need to live according to the truth that we already know.  God expects obedience to revealed truth.  Spiritual growth will occur when we obey the Scriptures we already know.

We all need godly examples to copy so that we can live godly lives (vs. 17).  Paul boldly invited believers to follow his example because he was closely following the example of Christ.  This is not the apostle being proud, but rather him showing confidence that he was yielding his life fully to God.  Every Christian will have some type of influence on others.  We need to ask ourselves if our life will help someone else follow Jesus more closely or not.  Are we setting a godly example in our speech, our conduct, and our priorities?

In contrast to godly examples to follow, Paul continued on to describe that there are those who are bad examples, who are actually enemies of the cross of Christ (vs. 18-19).  People can be enemies of everything the cross represents, such as mankind’s sinfulness, Jesus’ sinlessness, our inability to save ourselves, God’s justice, grace, mercy, and His shed Blood for our sins.  Some of the characteristics that Paul gave of these enemies is that their end will be destruction.  They will face eternal judgment because they reject the true Gospel.  Their god is their belly.  Their desires and appetites control them.  They glory in their shame, celebrating what should produce repentance.  And they mind earthly things, their focus being entirely on worldly concerns rather than eternal realities.  A person may profess having faith, but reveal a false profession through a life dominated by fleshly desires and worldly values.

Paul reminded the Philippians that their citizenship was in heaven, not here on earth (vs. 20).  The Philippians lived in a Roman colony and understood citizenship well.  We are all citizens of one country or another.  However, if we are Christians we belong to another kingdom.  Though we are physically on earth, our primary allegiance is in heaven.  As citizens of heaven we should be thinking and living differently than others.  We should be valuing eternal things as we anticipate Jesus’ return.

As Paul finished this portion of Scripture he spoke  of the future glorification of believers (vs. 21).  As many of us can attest to, our current bodies are subject to aging, weakness, sickness, and ultimately death.  However, one day Jesus will transform them into glorified bodies like His resurrection body.

As we close, we see our Christian life as a race towards the heavenly goal, and we need to press forward, rejecting worldly-minded living, following godly examples, and live in anticipation of Jesus’ imminent return.  Until then, Christians are to live faithfully as citizens of Heaven, pressing towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Restore Us, O God

Psalm 80

When we go through a personal crisis period in our lives, as believers it is important that we turn to the Lord for His help and deliverance.  Serious problems can often weaken our faith, and we need a revival in our spirit to draw us back into a closer relationship with Jesus.  This is also important on a national level, especially if one’s country at any time was considered a “Christian country”.  Many Christians pray not only for personal revival in their lives, but also for national revival.  Our psalm for today is such a prayer, one which the psalmist Asaph prayed for his nation Israel.

Our psalmist, Asaph, wrote this psalm during a national crisis, possibly after a serious defeat in battle, or during the years that the powerful Assyrian empire threatened the nation. He knew that many of the problems that the nation faced were due to God’s chastening because of the people’s sin and departure from Him.  Knowing this, Asaph prayed a prayer of repentance and for national revival.

As the psalm opens, Asaph addressed God as the Shepherd of Israel, the One who led Joseph as a flock, and as the One who is enthroned between the cherubim (vs. 1-3).  This was a reminder that God cares about His covenant people, and is their Leader and Sovereign.  Asaph called on the Lord on behalf of the people, as Israel was in distress, and God’s blessings appeared withdrawn.  He prayed for God’s face to again shine upon them, so they could experience His peace and restoration.

Israel’s suffering was not accidental.  These afflictions and national humiliation were allowed by God (vs. 4-7).  Sometimes God permits hardships in order to correct His people, both at the time of Asaph, and also today.  His discipline is evidence of His concern for His children.  We read this in the New Testament, in Hebrews 12:6.  When we go through a time of suffering, it is not a sign that God has abandoned us, but that He is dealing with us as His children.  In addition to praying that God would bring relief from our suffering, we should also seek to learn the lesson that God is teaching us through them.

Asaph continued in his psalm by portraying Israel as a vine which God brought up from Egypt (vs. 8-13).  This, of course, refers to His deliverance of His people from bondage to Pharaoh.  God had removed the heathen nations, prepared the land, and caused the vine of Israel to flourish, showing His gracious work in their history.  However, now the protective hedge has been removed, and enemies freely invade and destroy the country.  Israel’s protection depended on walking in fellowship with the Lord.  This can apply to us today, as well.  Christians and churches that once flourished can decline when they cease depending upon the Lord.  Just look around our cities and see how many churches are closed, or have a bare minimum of people who occasionally attend.

The psalmist prays to God to look down from heaven and protect what He had at one time planted (vs. 14-18).  He pleads to God, not for Israel’s merit, but because of His mercy.  In verse 17, the “man of Your right hand” may initially point to the king, but it ultimately finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ.  He is God’s chosen King, the One seated at God’s right hand.  The ultimate restoration of Israel will come through her Messiah, Jesus Christ.

On behalf of the people, Asaph promised a renewed faithfulness if the Lord would restore them (vs. 18-19).  Three times throughout this psalm Asaph had prayed for the Lord to turn to them and restore them (vs. 3, 7, 19), each time with a stronger plea.  The first time it was “O God”.  The second is a bit stronger, “O God of hosts”.  The final time Asaph pleads “O Lord God of hosts”.

As believers, what can we learn from this psalm/prayer for revival?  First, we see that God is both our Shepherd and also our Judge.  The same God who protects His people also disciplines them when necessary.  We also see that sin brings consequences.  Israel’s afflictions were linked to her spiritual condition.  God forgives sin, but sin often leaves painful consequences.  In this psalm we see that revival is not produced by human effort alone, but by God’s gracious intervention.  God’s covenant purposes cannot fail.  Though the vine was damaged, it was not destroyed.  The Lord God remains faithful to His promises.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only ultimate hope, both for individuals and also for each nation.  Only through Jesus can Israel or any nation be restored, can sinners be saved, and God’s purposes be fulfilled.  A nation that rejects God’s truth should not presume upon His blessings.  When God’s people experience spiritual decline, the answer is repentance, renewed dependence upon God, and confidence in His covenant faithfulness and mercy.

In closing, we need to pray the three requests that Asaph prayed in Psalm 80.  “Restore us again” - Ask God to reveal areas where spiritual renewal is needed.  “Cause Your face to shine” - Seek restored fellowship and God’s blessing.  And finally “we shall be saved” - Trust God to bring the restoration that only He can accomplish.

The Song of God's Vineyard

Isaiah 5:1-7

On a hot day I was looking forward to getting home and having a small bowl of the chilled green seedless grapes (my favorite) that I had recently bought.  With how hot it was, they would be so cool and refreshing.  So imagine my disappointment when I bit into the grapes to find that they were all sour!  No one wants a bowlful of sour grapes!  Has that ever happened to you?  In our Scripture today from the Prophet Isaiah, we read of how disappointed God was when His vineyard brought forth sour grapes.  Let’s see what Isaiah was talking about and what it can mean to us today.

The beginning verses of the 5th chapter of Isaiah are an allegory of God’s relationship to the nation of Israel.  God, pictured as a vineyard owner, had cleared the hillside of debris, planted good vines, built a watchtower for protection, and crafted a press to enjoy the results of His harvest.  The grapes are the people of Israel.  With everything that God had provided for His grape vines we would think that they would turn out perfectly sweet.  Why did the vines produce sour grapes?  Despite every possible blessing and advantage from God, the people of Israel produced spiritual corruption rather than righteousness.  What happened?

The opening verses in this allegorical “song” appear gentle and affectionate, emphasizing God’s love and care for His people.  He demonstrated love, patience, and goodness.  God had not abandoned His people in the wilderness, nor when they came into the Promised Land.  Instead, they had rejected His gracious care.

A good vineyard owner will plant the best vines he can get, and keep the vines protected with fences and watchtowers.  He will remove any unwanted debris from the grounds (vs. 2).  God had equally provided for Israel.  He delivered them from Egypt, gave them His Law and His prophets.  God had placed them in the land He had promised the Patriarchs, and protected them.  The vineyard produced fruit, but it was worthless fruit.  Despite all of God’s care, His vineyard produced sour grapes of selfishness, injustice, and oppression.  God reluctantly destroyed the vineyard, while saving a remnant of vines that someday would produce a good harvest.

God invited Judah to judge the situation themselves (vs. 3-4).  No fault could be found in the vineyard owner.  The failure rested entirely with the vineyard.  God had faithfully fulfilled His covenant obligations.  Israel could not blame Him for her spiritual condition.  As judgement, God said He would remove the hedge and break down the wall.  The vineyard would be laid waste, uncared for (vs. 5-6).  God would remove His protection.  Foreign invasion and national devastation would follow, which was ultimately fulfilled with the Babylonian captivity.

How does this apply to us today?  A person may possess religious privileges, can have Biblical knowledge, and be involved in their church, yet fail to produce godly fruit.  God is not impressed merely by appearance.  Those grapes looked good on the vine.  The ones I tried eating looked good in the bowl, yet both were sour.  God looks for those who have called upon His Son, Jesus, who pattern their life after Him, and are obedient to His Word.  God holds people accountable for their response to His truth.  He is not deficient in His provisions, rather it is rebellion in the human heart, and there comes a point when persistent rebellion will bring divine chastening.

God had desired the good fruit of justice, righteousness, holiness, and obedience, but instead found the bad fruit of oppression, violence, and spiritual corruption.  The nation looked religious, but was a sour grape.  They were morally bankrupt.  God expects His people, both then and now, to bear fruit.  Throughout Scripture we see that genuine faith is evidenced by godly fruit.  Fruit does not produce salvation, but salvation should produce fruit.

The question today is not whether you are active religiously, but whether godly fruit is evident in your life.  We need to examine our fruit.  Don’t presume upon God’s blessings.  Israel had enjoyed tremendous privileges, but still came under judgment.  Church attendance, Biblical knowledge, and Christian heritage do not guarantee spiritual health.  Like the vineyard, believers have received abundant provision, and should respond with gratitude and faithful service.  God expected righteousness and was grieved by corruption.  He still desires holiness from His people today.

Privileges bring responsibility.  God still examines the fruit of His children’s lives, and genuine faith should result in obedience, righteousness, and godly character.  The vineyard failed, not because the Owner neglected it, but because it rejected the purpose for which it had been planted.  Isaiah warns us here against having mere outward religion.  When God graciously provides every opportunity for spiritual fruitfulness, He rightly expects a harvest of righteousness.

Which Son Are You?

Matthew 21:28-32

There is a saying in English, “Actions speak louder than words.”  There are probably similar sayings in other languages.  What we do means more than what we say.  We can promise others all sorts of things, but those promises mean nothing unless we follow through with our actions.  Our Lord saw examples of this behavior in His people, and sought to teach a lesson with a parable.  Let’s take a look and see what God’s Word can teach us.

The parable of two sons was one of several that the Lord Jesus told the crowds, specifically targeted towards the religious leaders, during the last week before His crucifixion.  If one were to give a superficial look at the crowd, those leaders would seem to appear quite religious.  Scattered in the crowds, perhaps on the fringes of the group of people, were others who had unsavory backgrounds, such as prostitutes, corrupt tax collectors, etc, ones who had seemingly rejected God.  As Jesus was going to clearly show, looks can be deceiving.

Jesus told the parable of a man who had two sons.  He asked each of them to go work in his vineyard to get the crop in.  One said no, but later changed his mind and went (vs. 28-29).  The second had responded with a “Yes, sir!” but never went (vs. 30).  Jesus asked the group, specifically those Pharisees and religious elders, who was the obedient one.  In this parable, the father represents God, and the vineyard symbolizes His work and Kingdom purposes.  The first son pictured sinners who have repented of their wrong actions, and the second are self-righteous religious folks.  Both heard the father’s orders, but only one obeyed.

The first son pictures openly sinful people.  Their lives have plainly demonstrated rebellion against God.  However at some point in their life they repent, they have a change of heart towards God, change their mind about the sin in their life, and turn towards God.  This son’s repentance was proven by his action.  He didn’t merely feel sorry, he turned around and headed towards what his father asked.  True repentance leads to obedience.

The second son was polite and respectful.  He said all the right things, and outwardly he appeared superior to the first son.  However, his was an empty profession.  He talked about obedience but never actually obeyed.  He represented religious leaders who claimed devotion to God, but rejected His messengers and Word.  Many people today profess Christianity, attend church, and use religious language, but have never truly submitted to Jesus Christ.

Jesus specifically asked the religious leaders who of the two obeyed the father (vs. 31-32).  Their answer would condemn themselves, as after they answered, Jesus told them that tax collectors and prostitutes would get into the Kingdom ahead of them.  It was not because those despised people were less sinful, but because they had repented of their sins.  Salvation is not based on respectability.  It is entered by repentance and faith.  Both the prostitute and the Pharisee need God’s grace.

Right prior to the start of Jesus’ ministry, John the Baptist had preached repentance and righteousness.  His message was clear and Biblical.  Many of those who society called sinful believed John and repented.  Their lives were transformed.  However, the religious leaders also heard, and saw multitudes repent.  Yet their hearts and souls remained hardened and they refused to submit to God’s revealed truth.  A person can be very religious and still be lost.

God desires obedience rather than mere profession.  He is not impressed by religious language, external forms, and how one appears in public.  He desires obedience from the heart.  Genuine repentance will produce a change.  It is not perfection, nor emotion, but a change in one’s life, demonstrating genuine faith.  Church membership, baptism, family heritage, or Bible knowledge cannot save.  Only personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ saves.

The religious leaders saw no need for repentance.  Self-righteousness is a great barrier to salvation.  Both “religious” people and criminals must come to God the same way.  No sinner is too wicked to be saved, and it is never too late to repent.  The first son began badly, but ended well.  Many people have lived years in rebellion, yet God still extends mercy through Jesus.

In closing, God values genuine repentance and obedient faith over mere religious profession.  The repentant sinner who believes God’s message is accepted, while the outwardly religious person who refuses to obey remains outside God’s blessing.  Jesus teaches that what ultimately matters is not what we say we will do for God, but whether we actually respond to Him in repentant faith and obedience.

Once Humbled, Now Exalted

Philippians 2:5-11

How many company presidents and CEO’s have you ever heard of who help clean up around the office on a regular basis, take out the trash, or make sure there is a full pot of coffee always brewing and bring some to the secretaries?  Or how many high ranking politicians or world leaders have you heard of that forego first class accommodations and fly economy class with us regular folks, and stay in economy motels?  Generally we see that as people gain more power and wealth, they want more of the finer things, and to be served, not do the serving. For many people, including some believers, that might be a goal.  However, as we read in our Scripture today from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, our model in life should be from One who did just the opposite.

The Apostle Paul had established a Christian church in the city of Philippi on one of his missionary journeys, and while there he and his companion Silas were beaten and thrown into prison.  After their release the next day they were told to leave town.  Paul wrote his letter of encouragement and teaching to the Philippian believers around ten to twelve years later.  Among many things that he was instructing them, one was to have unity among each other, without selfish ambitions, and to esteem others better than themselves.  As our Scripture passage opens, Paul pointed to the Lord Jesus as the perfect example of the type of thinking he was encouraging (vs. 5).  Many Christians, particularly those in leadership positions, desire the power and popularity that Jesus had, but are less eager to imitate His humility, which Paul said here should be forefront.

As Paul continued, he clearly pointed out that Jesus Christ is God (vs. 6).  The phrase “being in the form of God” means that Jesus possessed the very nature and essence of deity.  Jesus didn’t just resemble God, He truly is God.  Other Scriptures affirm this truth, such as John 1:1; John 10:30; Colossians 2:9; and Hebrews 1:8.  Jesus did not become God after the resurrection.  He was always God, possessing full equality with the Father in both essence and nature.  This proves false the teaching that some denominations and other religions have when they say that Jesus was just a prophet and a created being.

Jesus did not give up His deity when He became man (vs. 7).  He never ceased to be God.  Rather, He voluntarily laid aside His heavenly glory, the exercise of certain divine privileges, and the outward showing of His majesty.  Jesus remained fully God while becoming fully man.  He was not half God and half man, instead He was and is 100% God and 100% man.  When Jesus became a man, He did not choose to become a great and powerful man, like a king or emperor.  Instead the Creator became a servant.  The King of glory took the position of a servant, showing the depth of His humility.

The humility shown by Jesus did not stop at His becoming a man.  It showed itself all the way to His willingness to die for our sins upon the cross (vs. 8).  Jesus willingly chose obedience to the Father all the way to Calvary.  He not only endured the physical agony of crucifixion, but also bore the sins of everyone who ever lived.  He surrendered all of His rights for our salvation.

Because of Jesus’ obedience, the Father exalted Him (vs. 9).  This was clearly seen in His resurrection, ascension, and enthronement at God’s right hand.  His momentary humiliation was followed by exaltation.  The cross led to the crown.  No greater Name exists.  No higher authority exists.  No one deserves greater worship than Jesus.  Because of His humility and obedience, the Father has exalted Jesus to the place of highest honor (vs. 10).  The result is that every knee, all created beings, will ultimately bow before Him.  This includes all heavenly beings, all humanity, including  kings, celebrities, atheists, religious leaders, and ordinary people, and all fallen spiritual beings, such as Satan and his demons.  They will all confess that Jesus is Lord (vs. 11).

The same One who humbled Himself and died on a cross is the One who now reigns in glory and will one day be publicly acknowledged by all creation as Lord.  Those who reject Jesus now will still confess His lordship one day, but they will do so as those standing before His judgment.  The question is not whether a person will acknowledge Jesus Christ’s Lordship, the question is when.  Will it be in faith during this life, or in recognition before His judgment throne?

This future reality should affect how we, as believers, should live today.  Our worship should be sincere, our obedience wholehearted, and our witness should be urgent.  Those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior need to hear the Gospel before the day when His Lordship is universally acknowledged.

Seeking God's Guidance

Psalm 25

At some point in your life you are likely to have to make some significant decisions.  These might be decisions in your personal life, or they might be related to your job.  Some have jobs where they might have to make very critical and life altering decisions, ones that may affect many people, such as a doctor, scientist, or a world leader.  Some of you might feel confident in your ability to make the right decision, but others seek the help and guidance of other people who hopefully will guide them in the right way.  Our psalm for this week is a prayer that King David made, asking the Lord for His guidance.  Let’s see what David prayed.

As one reads through the Bible of the life of David, we quickly see that there were many times he had to make critical decisions.  He spent years trying to escape the threats to his life by King Saul.  Then he first became the king of the southern Kingdom of Judah, and then both king of Judah and all of Israel.  As a king, and also the chief military leader, David was faced with having to frequently make very important decisions.  Though he probably had a council who would have advised when consulted, the one he went to all the time for help was the Lord God.  He always went to God for His help all throughout his life.

As David began his prayer, he surrendered himself to the Lord (vs. 1-3).  He directed his whole being towards God.  His prayers weren’t just empty words. David reached out his heart to the Lord in faith, confident that He would help him in his troubles.  David knew that God was greater than anything he faced.  Those who come in prayer and wait upon the Lord will not be ashamed. This does not mean that believers will never face difficulty, but it means that He will never fail those who trust in Him.  Like David did, when faced with uncertain difficulties and need for His direction, we should first worship, trust, and depend upon God.

After surrendering himself to the Lord, David then requested His guidance (vs. 4-7).  David prayed for God to show him, teach him, and lead him.  He recognized that spiritual guidance must come from God.  We can’t turn to other false deities for help.  David asked to be led in God’s ways, His paths, and His truth.  The Bible, God’s Word, is the primary means through which He guides His people.

David knew, as he stated in verse 7, that he needed to have a clean conscience before he could expect God to hear and answer his prayers (Psalm 66:18).  He brought his sins and faults honestly before God, depending entirely upon His grace.  Godly guidance begins with humility.  Proud people want God to approve their plans, but humble people want God’s plans.

Everything in David’s prayer rests upon who God is (vs. 8-10).  He knew that God is good, and that He desires what is best and right.  The Lord is also willing to teach and guide sinners and the humble.  He delights in teaching those who recognize their need for Him.  Pride resists instruction, but humility receives instruction.  The more teachable we become, the more God can shape us into the image of His Son.

David pleaded with God for forgiveness of his sins, which he knew he must do before God could help him (vs. 11).  David didn’t say his sin was small, or that his good works outweighed it, or even that he deserved forgiveness.  Instead, he said that his sins were great.  God is not impressed by excuses.  He responds to humble confession.  The believer who is humble enough to confess his sins is also the believer who is teachable enough to receive God’s guidance.

There are blessings for those who fear God (vs. 12-14).  This fear refers to reverential awe, worship, submission, and obedience to Him.  The blessings He bestows on those who fear Him include divine guidance.  He will direct those who desire His will.  He will also bless with spiritual prosperity and security, though not necessarily material wealth.  We are also blessed with fellowship with the Lord.  God shares His heart with believers who walk closely with Him.

David winds down his prayer with crying out to God again for deliverance from his troubles (vs. 15-21).  However, he kept his eyes fixed on God.  Looking continually at our problems will produce despair.  Instead, look continually towards God and that will produce hope.

Believers should bring every burden, every decision, and everything in our life to God.  There is no trouble too small, and no burden too heavy for Him.  When we come to Him, He will guide us.  Some of God’s paths for us may be rough and rugged, others tedious and boring, but they all are filled with His love and faithfulness.  Our path may have obstacles, but God will lead us through them all.