A story is told about a man who traveled to a foreign city. He checked in to his hotel late at night and—being more than just a little hungry—went out to find a restaurant where he could get something to eat. He found himself in a pretty shabby looking sandwich shop in a rundown part of the city. After taking one bite of the sandwich he had ordered, he decided to forego the rest of his meal rather than risk food poisoning. So, he returned to his hotel hungry and a little disgruntled. The next morning, he found out that there were several other places he could have visited that would have been much better and were even closer. If he had used a guide, he would have arrived at one of those establishments.

We’re often like that in our spiritual lives. We set out on our own, ignoring our Guide, and end up at places where our options are terrible. God is here and He is more than ready to guide us and bless us. So many times we miss out on preferable options because we don’t allow Him to lead the way. David wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:1-3, NIV). Failing to follow the Shepherd means we will likely end up in places with rancid water, barren pastures—places that will make for trying times for our souls. Let God “guide you along the right paths for His name’s sake” today!  —Steve Willis, US