PSALM 25:9

He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them his way. 

TO PONDER 

Have you ever noticed that people who are arrogant or proud, self-reliant or stubborn, can’t be taught anything? They resist because they believe that they know better. I confess that sometimes I have been that way, in my heart even if I am outwardly compliant. 

In this short verse, we are reminded that in order for us to follow God’s leading, and to learn to be different, walking his way and seeking his outcomes over our own desired outcomes, we must have humble hearts. We have so much to learn! And God is the perfect teacher: patient and loving, and knowing exactly what we need to see, hear or experience in order to learn his way. 

Unlike a course of study at school or university, there is no “graduation” from God’s teaching. When we “enrol in this course”, we do so with the humble acceptance that this is a lifelong journey. If we think that we now know it all (or enough), unfortunately we then become proud and unteachable. We need the Holy Spirit to continually work in our hearts, softening them towards God and his priorities, making us mouldable and teachable. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, Please soften my heart. I want to go where you lead. I want to walk your way. Help me to always humbly accept the ways that you are challenging me, teaching me and changing me. Please continue to grow me into the person that you want me to be, with a heart that beats with your heart, open to (and in fact seeking) your “different” outcomes. Amen. 

Today’s devotion written by Julie Kitchen, Lifeway Epping