The Master’s Hand

The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 NLT

Thoughts of a Daughter
As I ponder the steps right and wrong of this past year how many of the wrong steps were because I took things in my own hands rather that let God lead me or because I strayed from the path He designed for me. Paul’s words come to mind “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14). Paul learned staying in the past will hinder moving into the presence. It keeps us from truly focusing on the ultimate goal, the grand prize; the heavenward call of God in Christ Jesus. Ponder the past year and seek to identify those things which you need to improve but do not stay there. In stead keep your eyes on the prize and put your trust in God and plan to continue walking with Him. He is faithful and His words are true, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.” What an awesome promise, a true sign of God’s love for us. How blessed are His daughters whom He will guide along the best pathway for each individual life. Even more He promises to advise us and watch over us, what a loving Father. God desires the best for each of us and to ensure we have the best life He himself will lead us, what comfort in knowing God is ever watching over us and when we seek Him will advise us, granting us the wisdom and understanding we need to live the best life. A life designed by the Master’s hand.

Reflection
Knowing God’s plan for my life requires me to spend time in His word.
To understand God’s word I must spend time mediating on His word, studying and developing knowledge of God.
I must spend time in prayer, listening to God-I must know God’s voice.
I must open my spirit, heart, soul and mind to God, surrendering all to Him.

I am reminded of Abraham, God set the pathway before Him and Abraham was obedient to God. He trusted God and followed the path God set before him, even when he didn't understand he followed God's instructions. Abraham was blessed as God said He would bless him, He became the Father of many nations, his seed as the stars in the sky uncountable. Abraham's life was designed by God, God guided him, watched over him and kept him. Abraham willing left what was behind, keeping his eyes on the promise, a promise he didn't witness while he lived this earthly life, but the eternal promise, knowing it was a better promise, a promise worth waiting; a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. God's promise to me is just as binding as His promise to Abraham, when I seek Him with my whole heart, when I follow His guidance and the path He has set for my life I too shall live the eternal promise, a city not built by hands but laid with an eternal foundation built by the Master's Hand.

Deeper Study"
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:13 NIV

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalms 25:5 NIV

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Psalms 48:14 NIV

1 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. 5 You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139 1-16,


Prayer from my Heart
Your word O lord is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path. Guide me O God in this coming year; order my every step according to Your holy word. Guide me along the pathway of Your truth, open my heart to your guidance, help me O God to know Your voice, lead me along the pathway which is best for my life, keep your watchful eyes upon me and guide me to Your Holy mountain letting me rest in You as I fulfill Your every will for my life, designed by Your all powerful Hand. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen