Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.

This is a prayer that every believer can and should pray. We do know God’s way in general terms, because the Bible has a lot to say about it. However, we need His help in getting it into our hearts and minds to really know it, to grasp it so that we walk in it consistently. And of course, we all have questions about the specific path God has prepared for us, and desire that He show us what is right. Sometimes that isn’t the easy path that our flesh would choose, but we know that God’s way is best, even when it’s difficult. We need to remember that God’s way is truth, that there is no deception in it. We need to be totally honest with Him, with ourselves, and with those around us. That doesn’t necessarily mean saying all we know, however true it might be, particularly to those around us, but it does mean absolute integrity, with no deception or excuses. The last half of the verse is extremely practical. We all have a strong tendency toward a divided heart. In cartoons that is drawn as an angel on one shoulder and a demon on the other, but that is certainly simplistic. We are constantly making decisions, whether we realize it or not, and there are forces that do NOT want us to follow God’s way. There’s a reason David connects this with fearing God’s name. The fear of the Lord is very powerful in helping us know what is right and choosing it, getting us past the “split personality” to which we are so prone.

I write from experience here! I have certainly experienced the pull of differing paths, and I haven’t always chosen the right one. I have learned without question that God’s path is always best, but that doesn’t mean I’m never tempted, by any means. I need to pray this prayer along with everyone else, even though I was baptized 68 years ago! I need to have the basics down firmly, just as it says in Hebrews 6:1-2, but at the same time I must remember that I will never be perfect this side of heaven, as even Paul recognized. (Philippians 3:12-14) Walking in God’s truth is a constant exercise, a consistent choice, and I need to keep doing it better.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for not giving up on me, the many times I have made the wrong choices. Help me be an effective guide to those in my care, so that they too may learn better how to listen to You and choose Your path, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!