Monday, September 21, 2026

Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long. (Psalm 25:4-5)

It is important to stay on the right path. A tour guide may tell the group to stay together and to keep to the path. Hikers must stay on the trail to avoid snakes or other wildlife. Parents warn children to stay on the sidewalk and keep away from the street. Yet for all the warnings, we do stray. We may choose dangerous paths in our travels and even more dangerous pathways in life, following people, practices, or philosophies that can lead us away from the Lord.

Daily we are tempted to wander from the righteous paths on which the Lord leads us. The culture of the world in which we live, social media quarrels, or entertainment may tempt us to stray. We end up following—in our thoughts, words, or actions—ideas and ways that may be spiritually dangerous. False teachings may lead us away from the truth of God’s Word. We fail to recognize the danger to our souls: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 16:25). Yet like a shepherd seeking lost sheep, God does not abandon us to our wandering ways. He calls us to repent and return to Him as His Word provides the light to lead us in the right direction: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

The ways of sin that we choose lead to death and separation from God. The way of the cross that Jesus followed led to His atoning death that brought us into fellowship with God. Even as the hour of His death drew near, Jesus did not turn from the path that lay before Him. He was determined to save us: “When the days drew near for Him to be taken up, He set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). He is the Good Shepherd who came to lay down His life for His wandering sheep. When we stray—and we will—Jesus calls us to repentance and forgives our sins. He brings us back to Himself and leads us on His righteous paths. Day by day, as we follow our Lord, we pray with the psalmist, “Lord, teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me.” We know that our Shepherd will hear and answer our prayer because He gives us His promise: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28).

WE PRAY: Lord, lead me in Your truth and teach me to follow You on Your righteous paths. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever been lost in the wilderness? If so, how did you find your way out? Did someone help you?
2. We learn about God in His Word. What Scripture(s) help you when you’re seeking direction from God?
3. What lessons can we take from Jesus’ life when we need courage to stay the course in our lives?

Today's Readings:

Isaiah 28-29
Romans 1

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