He Leads Me For His Name’s Sake

What path do I take in 2020?

What are God’s plans for me this year?

What is God’s will for my life?

The calendar rolls over to another new year, so it’s a good time to ask ourselves these questions.

I want to be in God’s will doing the things He wants me to do. I want to follow the path He has laid out for me. I don’t want to steer off in the wrong direction. “Should I do this or that?” “Should I go left or right?” “Should I say yes or no?”

Some time back while reading Psalm 23 with my children, this specific phrase jumped out at me- “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake”

After digging into this phrase a little deeper, I found so much encouragement to guide me  through those questions into the new year.

He leads me down paths of righteousness-

God not only leads me into living righteously and down the paths that are not sinful, but He also leads me into opportunities that are good and right for me. God is not going to lead me down a road towards something that is not in my best interest.

Remember the old game show Let’s Make a Deal? You had to choose door #1, door #2, or door #3. You could strike gold with a brand new car, a great stove…..or get dooped with a donkey!

God is never going to pull that kind of bait and switch or trick me with a clunker behind door #3. He is always going to have my best interest at heart. Whatever doors are opened  or remain slammed shut, I can trust that the path before me is one of righteousness and is for my greatest good.

Even if I go through the valley of the shadow of death, He will lead me through that valley. He will walk right there with me and never leave me until that valley flattens out into a beautiful path of righteousness!

For His Name’s Sake-

God is going to lead me down the paths for the sake of His Name. Yes, He has my best interest at heart, but His higher motive is what will give Him the biggest opportunity to display His Glory through me! Whatever path He leads me, it’s going to be for the purpose of His renown and for the sake of His reputation.

What a glorious thought! God using the circumstances in my life to make His Name known! How much stronger can I withstand the struggles of life knowing that He uses my circumstances to bring Him Glory! Makes the tough days worth it, right?

I am filled with such hope and peace knowing whatever happens in my life, whatever opportunities come my way, I can trust it will be for my righteousness and for His glory!!! Any door of opportunity that slams shut or window that seems stuck, there must be a good reason for it. I can trust Him!

I’ve been reading Psalm 23 all my life, and it never ceases to amaze me how in one small passage there are hidden so many treasures of truth. I just need to be in the right place spiritually to receive them.

This week, thinking about 2020 and what I allow to fill my calendar, this truth changes my prayer. Now, when an opportunity or decision comes my way, I can pray “Is this a right path for me (and my family), and will this bring You, Father, the most glory?”

Any feelings of disappointment, rejection, or fear can be properly surrendered and comforted because I will trust in the fact that the closed door wasn’t a path of righteousness for me, and it wasn’t for the sake of His Name.

What about you?

Are you struggling with which path to take in 2020? Are you not sure what God is doing or where He is leading? Are you questioning God’s goodness in the middle of your circumstances?

I pray this truth encourages you, and this prayer helps you:

Father, sometimes I don’t know where you are leading me. I don’t understand why opportunities aren’t opening up the way I thought, or I can’t understand why these circumstances are surrounding me. In the middle of this situation, though, I believe that You are leading me down paths that are right and good for me. More than for my benefit, You are guiding me down paths that will give You the most glory. Father, I surrender every path in my life to You. I will trust You in all Your Ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

~Amy

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