God, Our Guide

My husband and I had the opportunity to snorkel in the Caribbean Sea on our honeymoon. We saw sea urchins, sting rays, and countless colorful fish. It’s one of our favorite memories. However, it’s a memory that almost didn’t happen.

Once we were out in the middle of the sea, strapped into our life vests and fitted into our flippers, Luke and I almost stayed on the boat. I’m not a super-strong swimmer, and to be honest the vastness of open water was starting to overwhelm me. Not to mention the barracudas, eels, and sharks that inhabit the Caribbean Sea. No thanks!

The only reason we got into the water that day was because we had a guide, a whole team of them in fact. We had a guide swimming out in front of us to make sure we didn’t run into anything dangerous. We had guides on each side and behind us, making sure we didn’t drift away from our boat. If we had questions or needed assistance getting back to the boat, they were there to help.

Our beautiful snorkeling adventure would not have been the same if we had just been dropped out into the sea by ourselves. In fact, it wouldn’t have happened at all!

How encouraging it is to know that we do not have to face the vast unknown of this world without a guide! Are you unsure which path to take? Are you walking through a season of newness or unfamiliarity? Whatever uncertainty we may be facing, we do not have to do it alone! Praise the Lord that He has promised to be our guide! His Word tells us that He will go before and behind us, and He will answer us when we call Him.

Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the LORD will answer. “Yes, I am here,” he will quickly reply (Isaiah 58:8-9 NLT).

We also find this promise frequently in the Psalms (23:1-3, 25:8, 32:8, 37:23, 119:105). The Lord has made it clear that we can trust Him to guide us. So, will we trust Him?

If I had never gotten off the boat in the Caribbean Sea, I would have missed out on the experience of a lifetime. But I also would never have known what a great group of men we had guiding us out into the waters. I wouldn’t have seen how they cared for the weak swimmers or swam far out ahead of the group to ensure our safety. Will we get to witness God’s faithfulness if we refuse to trust Him with the unknowns we are facing?

The world can be a scary and overwhelming place. But we serve a good and faithful God! When we seek Him and follow Him, we can walk in confidence, knowing He is guiding us.

Father God, thank You for Your guidance. Forgive us when we let our fears keep us from trusting You and seeking Your voice. Help us to remember what You have promised us time and time again in Your Word.

Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you (Psalm 25:4-5).

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.