Teach Me, Oh God

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. Psalm 143:10
 
Life often has much to throw at us, sometimes good and sometimes bad. Many times we are torn between knowing what we should do in different situations. We often have so much on our plates that life becomes hurried and difficult. The important things in life often take a back seat to other things. Many times, Satan uses this to turn our attention away from what is right and good to what may seem better to our human nature.
Sometimes it isn’t necessarily something bad, but it is not God’s will for us right then. We often settle for the “ok” instead of striving for the “best”. Often times, though, it is sinful, but our spirits have been weakened by a lack of intimacy with God that we fall prey to Satan’s lies. This verse is actually a prayer that we too can pray. “Teach me your will, for you are my God.” I would think that this prayer from a sincere heart would be very pleasing to God. Can you imagine how you would feel if your child asked you sincerely to teach him/her what you wanted him/her to do? “What, really, did I hear you right? You actually want to know what I want you to do?” How great it is when our children are eager to obey. I know God is pleased when we are eager to know his will and obey it. 1 Samuel 15:22 says that obedience is better than sacrifice. How many bad choices would we avoid if we actually asked him to teach us His will?
“May your gracious Spirit lead me on a firm footing.” When we know God’s will for us and obey it, his Spirit leads us on a firm footing. Being lead by his Spirit is superior to being lead by our own desires or judgment. Better a firm footing, than a shaky one. When we follow God’s will, our foundation is solid. When we follow our own, it is not. Following our own desires is often a recipe for disaster. Even if our flesh tells us it won’t hurt anything or it will make us happy, God’s way is always better. The outcome of following God’s will is peace, and who doesn’t need that? (James 3:17) So, let’s ask God to teach us His will. He is much wiser than us. (Isaiah 55:9) He also wants the best for us. (Jeremiah 29:11)