Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long (Psalm 25:4-5).

There is a story of a young Naval graduate, who after completing his first overseas cruise, was given an opportunity to display his talents at getting his ship underway and out of port. The young officer's efficiency established a new record for getting a naval ship underway. He was stunned, however, when a sailor approached him with a message from their captain. "My personal congratulations upon completing your underway preparations exercise according to the book and with amazing speed. In your haste however, you have overlooked one of the fundamental rules -- make sure the captain is on board before you leave.”

David begins this psalm with the bold statement, “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” And a little later, in our text, he says, “my hope is in you all day long”. This trusting and hoping in God propels David to know and live according to God’s ways. Our text says, “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long”.

English grammar was not my favourite subject, but when I started learning Greek and Hebrew, I came to appreciate how useful it is. In our text, the word ‘for’, which can also be translated as ‘because’, is the pivot of the sentence. David wants to know God’s will because his hope and trust are in God.

Why does David ask God to ‘show me your ways,’ and ‘teach me your paths’? David has the law given by Moses, after all. But there are many situations in life in which we need to discern the right course. The given or revealed law of God doesn’t cover every situation. David, as king of Israel, is called to lead God’s people in the ways of obedience.

Whatever context God has placed us, we are called to obedience as well. But it is not always easy to discern: What does God want us to do with our money? How must we raise our children? What should we do in a troubled marriage? How can we best help the poor, the marginalized, the socially ostracized? Christians have given many different answers to these questions. Often each situation has its own answer, depending on the circumstances.

Like Israel, God calls us to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5, 6). Echoing these things, Peter writes, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:9-12).

Like David, Peter calls us to righteous living because of what is to come, because of our hope in Christ’s return. So how do we discern God’s will in each situation? How can we live into the hope we have? It begins with prayer. David asks God for help in discerning his ways.

None of us will get anywhere is living God’s ways, if we don’t ask him for help. When we pray “show me your ways” than the captain is on board. Like the young naval officer, we often set sail without the captain. And like the captain on a ship, God needs to tell us where to go. And he is eager to give us the wisdom we need (James 1:5).

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn.