On Level Ground
By Grace Mills
“Teach me to do Your will, for You are My God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” Psalm 143:10 ESV
Last winter I went hiking up a mountain in my area. The views from the top were stunning, but the trip up was a little less awe-inspiring. In fact, there were a couple times that I was worried if I would make it to the top then back down again without injury. The whole trek up the mountain was uneven, and even icy at parts.
The path was well worn and obvious, but still dangerous because it was so uneven; roots were sticking up all different ways and it would often suddenly get very steep. Thinking of the times I almost tripped over roots and slid down embankments, and climbed over boulders, makes me truly appreciate the plea of the psalmist for God to lead Him on “level ground.”
On my hike, I would stop, on occasion, and simply look all around me. The views from the climb were also beautiful, but I hadn’t been noticing them because my attention had been consumed by trying to walk the uneven path without tripping or twisting an ankle.
I wonder how much more beauty I would have noticed if the path had been level? I pray that in my life I do not miss the beauty of the journey when His Spirit is willing to help me along the way.
God’s heart is to know us and for us to know Him. His very nature is giving, and He desires to give of Himself to His children. We do not have to ponder in distress what His will is; we need simply to ask Him. Praise God that His Spirit is good, and that we can come to Him for instruction and guidance!
As we dwell in His presence, and walk in relationship with Him, His Spirit takes on the work of leading and instructing us. Prayer is impactful because it entreats Holy Spirit to come minister and fight on our behalf, and to show Himself faithful and powerful in our lives.
We begin the work of knowing His heart and will, by asking through prayer; We finish the work by abiding in Him, surrendered to what He desires to do in and through us.
When we ask, He answers. When we seek Him, He reveals Himself. When we pray, He listens. When we listen, He speaks.
As a loving Father who gives good and perfect gifts, how could we imagine Him to withhold His will for us? If we are not asking Him to teach it to us, then patiently waiting and listening, we live as those who do not even have faith that He will reveal His will.
Could it be that we find our paths uneven and rough, and ourselves at a loss for direction, simply because we are not entreating Him through prayer and waiting on His response?
Today, join me in asking His good Spirit to teach us His will and to lead us on level ground. As you do, wait patiently and enjoy the beauty of the journey.
Heavenly Father, I pray that You would reveal more of Your nature and character as I dwell with You. I pray that You would teach me to do Your will, and that Your Spirit would lead me on level ground. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
© 2019 by Grace Mills. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Tuesday, 23 January 2024.
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