The way wherein I should walk

Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk. Ps 143:8

This prayer directed to God assumes a mighty reality: that there is a way in which we should walk. Moreover, since this is a prayer to God, it assumes that God is the one who determines this path. And that is incredibly encouraging for several reasons. First, it means that our life is neither meaningless or purposeless. And this meaning is not a subjective thing but something that is real and determined objectively by God. Second, it means that the significance of our lives does not depend upon what people think of us or how successful we are in the eyes of the world or how many opportunities we have been given, but upon faithfulness to God in his way. Third, it means that this way is something that can be discovered, and that the discovery of it does not again depend upon our own intelligence and abilities, but upon God who through his word and in his providential leading brings us along in the way we should walk.

Nevertheless, even with these realities before us, we can become discouraged. Even though I might know the way in which I should walk, do I not immediately become aware of my many shortcomings in that way? Therefore, the first part of this verse is also necessary: "Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning: for in thee do I trust." The God who shows his saints the way is the God who loves them with unfailing love. And we have infinitely more reason to believe this than David, for we can look back on the cross, in which God's love was most clearly revealed: "For so God loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16). Do you trust in the Son? Then, my friend, you have no reason not to believe that God will cause you to hear his lovingkindness in the morning, for he has already demonstrated that forever in his giving for you the most precious gift of all: his Son.