Trusting God’s Voice: Lessons from Psalm 118

Have you ever stumbled upon a piece of scripture that just stopped you in your tracks? That’s what happened to me with Psalm 118:8-9. It says, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” It’s like a gentle nudge reminding us where our true safety lies.

I am so thankful to God for bringing wise, elder women into my life. When I first started my walk with God, I longed for that kind of mentorship, just like the kind mentioned in Titus 2. I was over the moon when I found myself surrounded by these kinds of ladies! But, it was during a big life decision that I really started to understand their role in my life.

Looking back, I wish I had leaned on Psalm 118 sooner. When facing that big decision, I realized I had been running to these wonderful women first for advice, prayer, and wisdom. But this time, I knew I needed to hear directly from God. I already guessed what advice they would give me, but I needed to hear God’s voice on this one.

I took some time to just be with God, praying, worshipping, and diving into the Bible. And then, I made my decision. While this decision would not determine my salvation, it was one that people were very divided on. When I shared my decision, I was surprised to find that it hurt some feelings. That hurt was mutual because I was in disbelief that going to the Lord first would make someone upset, and it made me pause. I wondered, “Should I have included them in my decision-making process?” Even though I doubted myself for a moment, the Lord affirmed I had made the right choice.

This experience taught me a lot about the importance of not letting anyone—even those we admire and look up to—take the place of God in our lives, especially when it comes to giving advice and being a mentor.

Who’s in control? God.
Who knows everything? God.
Who can change hearts like no one else? God.

Let’s consider some practical ways to apply the wisdom gleaned from Psalm 118:8-9.

1. Reflect on your sources of guidance. Take some time to reflect on where you turn for advice and guidance in your life. Are there areas where you rely more on human wisdom than seeking God’s direction?
2. Prioritize time with God. Make a conscious effort to prioritize spending time with God through prayer, worship, and studying the Bible. This will help you tune into His voice and discern His guidance more clearly.
3. Seek God’s guidance first. When faced with important decisions, make it a habit to seek God’s guidance first before turning to others for advice. Open His word. Trust He will lead you in the right direction.
4. Embrace Godly mentorship. Value the wisdom and guidance of godly mentors in your life, but remember they are not a substitute for seeking God Himself. Appreciate their role while keeping God at the center of your decision-making process.
5. Encourage others to seek God. If you’re in a mentoring role, encourage those you mentor to seek God’s guidance above all else.
6. Point others to Jesus. Continually point others, especially those you mentor, to Jesus as the ultimate source of wisdom and guidance. Help them develop a deeper relationship with God.
7. Trust in God’s wisdom. Ultimately, trust in God’s wisdom over human understanding. Recognize that His plans are far greater than ours and that His guidance is always trustworthy.

I’m so grateful for the godly men and women in our lives who live out Titus 2, but at the end of the day, God is the one we can count on. He speaks to us through His Word, and for that, I’m incredibly thankful.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge that there are times when seeking wise, biblically grounded counsel is not only appropriate but necessary, especially when our decisions may lead us into sin or compromise our faith. While God is our ultimate refuge and guide, He also provides us with a community of believers who can offer counsel and accountability in accordance with His Word.

In every part of our lives, let’s remember to take shelter in the Lord, above anyone or anything else. When faced with decisions that may impact our walk with Him, let’s seek His guidance fervently while also humbly seeking the counsel of those who are wise in His ways.