“Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit above the cherubim, shine out. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might! Come to save us!” (Psalm 80:1-2)

It is said there are no atheists in the fox hole. When things are beyond our ability to control, out of hand and we fear, then we finally begin to comprehend that we are in another’s hands. See through this and at all times, turn to the One in whose hands you are. Know that only the One who created you is able to save not only you but all people from the adversity of death.

Lord, You know the times when I have gone on in life as if I were in control. I have learned and know that all things are not in my control. Let Your might be ever before me that I would trust You above all things knowing that in You is hope and an eternal future. Lead me away from the ways of doing as I please into the way of everlasting life that You have put before me.

Lord Jesus, You have all authority and power and You came to us humbly with the purpose of joining us with You to prepare us for being with You in Trinity forever. Guide me, O Lord, to walk in the way You have established knowing that no matter what comes I am always in Your hands. Guide me in the way of truth knowing that nothing will come my way that does not serve the Father’s purpose. Amen. 

“And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He has founded forever. He also chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands.” (Psalm 78:69-72)

The Lord chose to reveal His plan for the ages in the way He did. Others have mocked the Lord and sought to pervert the truth of His revelation, but His Word will stand forever. You may go where you will, but where is truth to be found? Is it not the One who created all things and in whom all things hold their being? Come then to the One who is more than able to do all He has promised.

Lord, I do listen to those who mock You and hear all kinds of things. They rattle in my brain and I become confused. Guide my mind and heart to see clearly that You, who are the maker of all things, hold in Your hands all that is true. Lead me away from the rebellion of the heart to simply and humbly come to You and know that I, along with all of creation, am in Your eternal hands.

Lord Jesus, You have come both to demonstrate the godly life, but also to lead the way for as many as would follow You. Lead me, O Lord, today in the truth You have revealed once for all. Help me now and always to see in You the hope of glory and the truth of the great love You have for all people. May I willingly follow wherever You lead, knowing that all things are in Your hands. Amen.

“He drove His adversaries backward; he put on them an everlasting reproach. He also rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved.” (Psalm 78:66-68)

The Lord chooses whom He chooses. It is the Lord who calls us, for without His call, we wander in the desert of life. He knows those who are His and what needs to happen in order for His will to be accomplished. We think we know all we need to know and go about our business, but only the Lord knows where it will all lead. Heed His call that you may be chosen, for He wants none to perish.

Lord, I arrogantly walk the way I walk and do as I do without thinking that I do not know as You know. You do what You do and this world cries unfair. Unfair is that You died for us. Unfair is that Christ was murdered. It is not about fairness, but what You will accomplish in this creation of Yours. Help me to humbly submit to You knowing that You alone are the One who gives life.

Lord Jesus, I need what You alone are able to give. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go and then help me to walk humbly alongside You now and always. Lead me along Your paths of righteousness, for there are no others that avail, knowing that You have called me to walk with You and learn from You. Thank You for doing what You have for all who believe. Amen.

“His priests fell by the sword, and His widows could not weep. Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, like a warrior overcome by wine.” (Psalm 78:64-65)

What does it take to rouse the Lord? He sees all, so He knows. There is a time when the people look to Him and then they realize He is there. Why do we test and try the Lord? Why do we not humbly come to Him that we may know that it is He who made the heavens and the earth? The Lord is Sovereign and He seeks those who will humbly come and know that He is the One who saves.

Lord, awaken me to see clearly that You have always been there and all things are in Your view. Awaken my heart to seek those things which are pleasing to You that I may abide in Your presence forever. Lead me away from the deadness of this world that I may know the goodness of Your Sovereignty. Lead me, O Lord, into Your ways forever that I may abide in You now and always.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us that You are the way of everlasting life. You have called for us to follow You and go where You lead. Grant me a new heart that would follow in the life You give, going the way You lead in the truth You have revealed. Lead me, O Lord, into the life for which You died that I may abide in You as You abide in me. Guide me now and always, Lord Jesus. Amen.

“He also delivered His people to the sword, and was filled with wrath at His inheritance. Fire devoured His young men, and His virgins had no wedding songs.” (Psalm 78:62-63).

The people rebel and the Lord withholds His hand of mercy and those who have wanted wickedness receive it. Why is it the Lord is blamed when He does not do what others want? It is not that He causes the wickedness, but that rebellious hearts are drawn toward the wickedness of this age. Come out from the way of the world to see that only in the Lord is there true peace and mercy.

Lord, there are times when I receive what was caused by others. There are times when I have been exempt from others’ wickedness. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that no matter what comes, I would see Your hand of grace and mercy upon my life. In all things, may I look humbly and simply to You as the source of all goodness and kindness knowing that these things are not in the world except by Your hand.

Lord Jesus, You are the incarnation of grace and mercy. Lift me up in Your grace that I would now and always live in the truth You have revealed. Help me see the truth of Your grace and live it fully in every moment of my days. Guide me to hold fast to the truth You have delivered once for all that in You alone is the hope of all ages. We need to be saved from ourselves, Jesus. Amen.

“For they provoked Him with their high places and aroused His jealousy with their graven images. When God heard, He was filled with wrath and greatly abhorred Israel; so that He abandoned the dwelling place at Shiloh, the tent which He had pitched among men, and gave up His strength to captivity and His glory into the hand of the adversary.” (Psalm 78:58-61)

People will do what they want to do. In spite of all that the Lord has said, they will continue in the rebellion of their ancestors. The way of the Lord is to come to Him and live in peace with Him. For those who ignore Him, He will hand them over to the many who maim, steal and destroy, for such are the fruits of rebellion. Come then to the Lord of all and leave behind the false idols.

Lord, why do I rebel so much? How is it I can in one moment speak of You and the love You have for all and in the next act as thought You are not there? You have shown in Your word the pattern that humans have lived time and time again. I am not exempt. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that I may learn from You how to be faithful at all times and in all situations.

Lord Jesus, amidst the idolatry of the ages, You have led those who humbly submitted and followed You. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth and teach me not to stray, whether or not adversity comes, teach me to look to You always that by Your grace I would forever hold fast to the truth You have come to reveal. Now and always, may Your Holy Spirit lead me in every moment. Amen.

“Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep His testimonies, but turned back and acted treacherously like their fathers; they turned aside like a treacherous bow.” (Psalm 78:56-57)

No matter what the Lord does, there are those who will turn their back upon the Lord and go the way they choose. When things do not turn out the way they would like, they rebel and blame the Lord for the disaster. It has been this way from the beginning. But what of You?  Will you go the way of those who have rebelled, or walk with the Lord in whose hands we all rest?

Lord, You know the state of my heart. You know that there is the desire to do what is pleasing in Your sight along with that rebellious nature that wants things the way I want them. Guide me, O Lord, to walk now and always in Your ways alone, for You created everything that exists. Grant me a new and clean heart that turns to You no matter the circumstances and trusts in Your provision or lack thereof.

Lord Jesus, You know the fickle nature of people in this world. You have created us to join in Your love but many go their own way wanting what they want. Help me, O Lord, to come into Your presence and simply walk humbly with You wherever You lead. Guide me according to the will of the father to live a humble life that simply seeks to obey all that You have commanded. Amen.

“So He brought them to His holy land, to this hill country which His right hand had gained. He also drove out the nations before them and apportioned them for an inheritance by measurement, and made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents.” (Psalm 78:54-55)

The Lord has always provided in the way He promised. Yet, the Lord is ignored by those who simply want what they want and want it in the way they want it. Yet, He still provides. He is gracious and kind and gives in spite of the people rebelling against Him. See that all things are in the Lord’s hands and that He provides for the just and the unjust. All things will be as He determines.

Lord, when things do not go the way I want, I am upset and think You have abandoned me. I want it to go the way I want it to go and I often think of You as being under my direction. Clear my mind of such rebellious thoughts that I may live in accordance with Your will and humbly walk in Your ways knowing that You alone are able to accomplish what You determine and have determined.

Lord Jesus, You have come to free me from this bondage to the self. Guide me, O Lord, in the way I should go that I may walk now and forever with You in the grace You have given from the cross. Lead me, O Lord, now and always in Your way of truth that I may walk humbly with You knowing that all things are now, as they always have been, in Your hands and that You will guide me. Amen.

“But He led forth His own people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; He led them safely, so that they did not fear; but the sea engulfed their enemies.” (Psalm 78:52-53)

The Lord watches over your going out and your coming in. He who knows all things, knows what is before you. He will not let your foot be dashed against a stone. Do not fear the tyrants of this age, but the One who loves with a pure love and offers to His people eternal reconciliation. Come then into the presence of the Lord and know that He who is good will lead you always.

Lord, I am often immature in how I see things and do not think about the reality of all people everywhere, each in their stage of rebellion. Guide me, O Lord, to walk humbly with You all the days of my life knowing that only You can lead me in safety. Help me see Your hand upon my life and the truth that You are always with me and before me guiding me in all of my ways.

Lord Jesus, You taught over and over again the truth of Your eternal presence and purpose. Help me now and always to stand firm in the truth of Your love that I would walk in Your ways and learn from You the way life is to be lived. Lead me in the grace You grant to be humble and faithful in all things as You prepare me to be whom You have always meant me to be. Amen.

“He sent upon them His burning anger, fury and indignation and trouble, a band of destroying angels. He leveled a path for His anger; He did not spare their soul from death, but gave over their life to the plague, and smote all the firstborn in Egypt, the first issue of their virility in the tents of Ham.” (Psalm 78:49-51)

Does the Lord owe to those who reject Him the life He gives as a gift? Many chafe, not at the power of God, but that God would actually do what He says He will do. To whom does God owe anything? What shall a man offer God in exchange for his life? The Lord created us to be in a loving relationship with Him. As many as come to Him on His terms discover true life and liberty.

Lord, I think in terms of what I know, but do not see the truth that You alone hold all power and authority. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go now and always knowing that only in You is there life, liberty and true hope. You are the Sovereign of the ages and in Your hands are all things. Lead me away from a rebellious heart and to the place where I love as You love.

Lord Jesus, love incarnate, You have come not to judge, for judgment is already upon the world, but that as many as would come through You might have liberty now and forever. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that I may now and always abide in the truth of Your love and live according to Your never-failing promises of grace and mercy. Prepare me to be whom You created me to be. Amen.