Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Growing up on a farm, one of the things that mesmerized me was the well-trodden paths in the cattle fields. The cattle always seemed to follow the same exact path to the point that the ground became so hard over the years that grass did not grow. These worn paths were easy to see.

While studying Psalms 61 and 62, I kept thinking of how David is referred to as a man after God’s own heart. Acts 13:22 says, “And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart who will do all my will.’” To have a heart for God, we have to be walking with God, talking to God, listening to God, serving God, and obeying God. David’s well-trodden path to God in these areas was what gave him the courage to take up the smooth stone and his sling to kill the giant Goliath. David knew God was able and would equip him so he went prayerfully and in obedience when God called.

In Psalm 61, David finds himself going up what must have felt like a mountain on his well-trodden path. We see David, with a faithful heart, crying out from the end of the earth to God. Scholars think that perhaps David had been displaced from his home and the Tabernacle by possibly Absalom or Saul. Yet, what we know is that David had walked with God long enough to know that God would hear his prayers because He always had and always will. We see David praying and praising God in this psalm.

David’s prayer begins with his desire for safety and protection as he asks God to lead him to the rock that is higher than him (verse 2); David praises God for having been his refuge and strong tower against the enemy (verse 3). David then asks God to provide for him by allowing him to dwell in His tent forever and to take refuge under the shelter of God’s wings (verse 4); David praises God for having heard his vows and having given him the heritage of those who fear the name of God (verse 5). These prayers and praises were not David’s first; he had a well-trodden path to God as he had sought God over and over throughout his life.

David knew where his help would come from. Psalm 122:2-4 tells us what David knew, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber or sleep.” Even when we sin and miss God’s mark like David did many times throughout Scripture, we know with full assurance that God hasn’t changed. The same God who heard the cries of David is ready and listening for our cries and praises.

That well-trodden path to God leads His followers closer in relationship with Him. God does the miraculous by making our well-trodden paths to Him just as noticeable as the paths in the cattle fields to others around us who are trying to figure out what it is about us that sets us apart from others – it’s that well-trodden path, our relationship with Christ lived out, that sets us apart.

Our Father loves us and desires for us to seek Him. Psalm 37:23 says, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” Start small today if you are not sure how to pray - ask God to give you energy if you are tired, help during a tough time, or have the courage to make the next step in asking about salvation. Each prayer we pray makes the path to God a little more worn, making it soon become our nature to pray and trust Him in all things. Do you have a well-trodden path to God? If not, take the first step and pray.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.
  

The Way of Jesus: 7 Marks of Discipleship

As we begin a new series, we encourage you to lean into the 7 Marks of Discipleship each week. The 7 Marks of Discipleship provide a simple tool to help us identify areas where we are thriving in our calling and where we can grow. Check here each week for a new 7 Marks Challenge that will encourage you to follow Jesus closer every day.