Guided by God: Surrendering on Life's Journey
Summary
Life is often described as a journey, filled with twists, turns, and unexpected detours. Sometimes, we find ourselves on familiar paths, but other times, we realize we’ve wandered off course—whether by our own choices or by circumstances beyond our control. In these moments, it’s easy to feel lost or uncertain about the next step. Yet, just as a hiker relies on a map to find the way back, we are invited to turn to God as our guide, trusting Him to lead us through every season and situation.
Psalm 25 offers a powerful example of what it means to pray along the pathways of life. David’s words are not just poetic; they are deeply practical. He lifts his entire soul to God—not just the good parts, but the broken, the confused, the joyful, and the hurting. This act of surrender is not partial; it’s a wholehearted offering of self, a recognition that God desires all of us, not just the pieces we’re comfortable sharing. David’s prayer is a model for us: to bring our whole selves before God, trusting Him with every desire, every fear, and every hope.
These “pathway prayers” do more than express our needs; they redirect our desires. Instead of clinging to our own plans or appetites, we ask God to shape our longings, to align our hearts with His will. This is not easy, especially in a world that prizes self-guidance and independence. But the psalmist reminds us that true guidance comes from surrender, from letting go of the illusion of control and allowing God to lead.
Humility is essential on this journey. Asking for help, admitting we don’t have all the answers, and making space for God’s direction requires a lowliness of spirit. God delights in guiding the humble, those who recognize their need for Him. In fact, when we humble ourselves, we reflect the very image of Christ, and God’s presence becomes more tangible in our lives.
Finally, the journey often involves waiting—sometimes longer than we’d like. Our culture is impatient, always seeking quick fixes and instant results. But waiting on God is not wasted time; it’s a holy discipline that shapes our character and deepens our trust. In the waiting, God is at work, forming us into His likeness and preparing us for what’s next.
So, whether you’re seeking direction, needing humility, or simply waiting, let your prayer be one of surrender: “Not my way, Lord, but yours.” Trust that God is guiding you, even when the path is unclear, and that He is faithful to lead you every step of the way.
Key Takeaways
- Surrendering our whole selves to God is the foundation of true guidance. David’s example in Psalm 25 challenges us to offer not just the presentable parts of our lives, but every aspect—our joys, wounds, desires, and failures. Only when we bring our entire soul before God can we experience the fullness of His direction and care. [36:10]
- Pathway prayers are an invitation to let God redirect our desires. Instead of living a self-guided life, we are called to relinquish control and allow God to shape our longings and choices. This means daily offering our plans and appetites to Him, trusting that His way is better than our own, even when it requires letting go of what feels comfortable or familiar. [43:50]
- Humility is the key that unlocks God’s guidance in our lives. The psalmist teaches that God instructs and leads those who are humble, not those who are self-sufficient. When we admit our need and ask for help, we make space for the Holy Spirit to move, and in doing so, we reflect the very character of Christ to the world. [49:11]
- Waiting on God is a holy discipline that refines our souls. In a culture obsessed with speed and instant gratification, learning to wait “all the day” as David did is countercultural and deeply transformative. Trusting God’s timing is as important as trusting His direction, and in the waiting, God is actively shaping us for what lies ahead. [53:21]
- In every season—whether seeking direction, needing humility, or enduring a time of waiting—simple, honest prayers keep us anchored. Prayers like “Not my way, Lord, but yours,” “I’m here to follow, not to lead,” and “What honors you in this season?” help us posture our hearts in surrender and openness, inviting God to lead us step by step. [56:40]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[05:41] - Opening Prayer and Thanksgiving
[19:25] - Entering God’s Presence
[20:11] - Blessing Over Children
[21:37] - Reflections on Preaching and Series Recap
[23:35] - The Lost Hike: Needing a Guide
[32:20] - Reading Psalm 25
[34:17] - Surrendering Our Whole Selves
[43:50] - Self-Guided vs. God-Guided Living
[46:27] - The Necessity of Humility
[49:11] - Humility Reflects Christ
[50:27] - Making Space for God’s Guidance
[51:47] - Trusting God in Seasons of Waiting
[54:35] - The Challenge and Gift of Waiting
[56:40] - Prayers for Surrender and Reflection
[01:01:42] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[01:02:56] - Closing Song and Benediction
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Pathway Prayers – Surrender, Humility, and Waiting”
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### Bible Reading
Psalm 25:1-15 (ESV)
> 1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
> 2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.
> 3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
> 4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
> 5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
> 6 Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
> 7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!
> 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
> 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
> 10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
> 11 For your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
> 12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
> 13 His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.
> 14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
> 15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 25, what does David mean when he says, “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul”? What does this reveal about his approach to God? [32:20]
2. According to verses 4-5, what specific things does David ask God to do for him? [32:54]
3. What kind of person does God promise to guide and teach, according to verses 8-9? [33:41]
4. In the sermon, what everyday example did the pastor use to illustrate the challenge of waiting? [54:35]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think David emphasizes bringing his “whole soul”—not just the good or presentable parts—to God in prayer? What does this say about how God wants us to approach Him? [32:20]
2. The sermon talks about “pathway prayers” redirecting our desires. How might praying for God’s guidance change what we want or pursue in life? [43:50]
3. Why is humility described as the “key” to receiving God’s guidance? What does it look like to be humble before God in practical terms? [49:11]
4. The psalmist says, “For you I wait all the day.” What does it mean to wait on God, and why is this so difficult in our culture? [53:21]
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor shared that David offered his whole self to God, not just the parts he was comfortable with. Are there areas of your life you tend to hold back from God? What would it look like to “lift up your soul” fully this week? [32:20]
2. The sermon contrasted “self-guided” living with “God-guided” living. In what areas of your life do you tend to rely on your own plans instead of seeking God’s direction? What is one step you could take to invite God’s guidance? [43:50]
3. Humility is described as making space for God to lead. Can you think of a recent situation where you needed to ask for help or admit you didn’t have all the answers? How did you respond, and how might you respond differently next time? [50:27]
4. The pastor admitted to struggling with impatience and shared a story about practicing waiting during bedtime routines. What is one area in your life where you find it hard to wait on God? How could you practice the “holy discipline” of waiting this week? [54:35]
5. The sermon suggested simple prayers like, “Not my way, Lord, but yours.” Which of the three suggested prayers (“Not my way, Lord, but yours,” “I’m here to follow, not to lead,” or “What honors you in this season?”) do you most need to pray right now? Why? [56:40]
6. When you face a big decision or a season of uncertainty, what practical steps can you take to make space for God’s guidance instead of rushing ahead? [51:47]
7. The pastor said that waiting on God is not wasted time, but a time when God shapes our character. Looking back, can you share about a season of waiting in your life? How did God use that time to grow or change you? [53:21]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to close by praying one of the simple prayers from the sermon, asking God for surrender, humility, or patience in waiting.
Devotional
Day 1: Surrendering Our Whole Selves to God
To truly follow God, we are invited to offer Him not just the good or presentable parts of our lives, but our entire selves—our joys, our brokenness, our desires, and our struggles. Like David, who lifted up his whole soul to the Lord, we are called to bring all that we are before God, holding nothing back and seeking not to impress or earn His love, but to surrender in honesty and trust. This act of surrender is not partial or selective; it is a wholehearted offering, trusting that God values every part of us and desires to guide us fully. [36:55]
Psalm 25:1-2 (NASB)
To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in You I trust,
Do not let me be ashamed;
Do not let my enemies exult over me.
Reflection: What is one area of your life—whether broken or whole—that you have been holding back from God? How can you intentionally offer this part of yourself to Him in prayer today?
Day 2: Living Guided by God, Not by Self
Many of us are tempted to live self-guided lives, giving God only certain parts or moments, but the invitation is to exchange our self-reliance for a life fully guided by the One who knows all things. Just as a knowledgeable guide can transform a journey, so too does God desire to lead us in every step, if we will relinquish control and trust Him with our direction. This means moving from partial surrender to full dependence, allowing God to be the true guide of our lives rather than relying on our own wisdom or plans. [43:50]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Reflection: Where in your daily routine do you tend to rely on your own understanding instead of seeking God’s guidance? What would it look like to invite Him to guide you in that specific area this week?
Day 3: Humility Opens the Door to God’s Guidance
God delights in leading those who are humble and recognize their need for Him; humility is the key that unlocks His guidance and presence in our lives. When we come to God with meekness, admitting that we cannot navigate life on our own, we make space for Him to teach, lead, and shape us. This posture of humility is not weakness, but a reflection of Christ Himself, and it is in this lowliness that God’s power and wisdom are most fully experienced. [49:11]
Psalm 25:9 (NASB)
He leads the humble in justice,
And He teaches the humble His way.
Reflection: Think of a recent decision or challenge—did you invite God’s guidance with a humble heart, or did you try to handle it alone? How can you practice humility and dependence on God in your next decision?
Day 4: Trusting God in Seasons of Waiting
Waiting is often difficult, especially in a world that values speed and instant results, but God calls us to trust Him not only for direction but also for His timing. David’s declaration, “For You I wait all the day,” reminds us that waiting on God is a holy and refining process, shaping our character and deepening our trust. In seasons of uncertainty or delay, we are invited to slow down, surrender our impatience, and believe that God is actively at work, even when we cannot see immediate results. [54:35]
Psalm 25:4-5 (NASB)
Make me 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.
Reflection: What is one area where you are waiting for God to move or answer? How can you shift your focus from impatience to trusting that God is working in the waiting?
Day 5: Praying Pathway Prayers of Surrender and Trust
Pathway prayers are daily confessions of surrender, humility, and trust—prayers that redirect our desires, humble our hearts, and express our willingness to follow God’s way above our own. Whether we are seeking direction, needing help, or simply waiting, these prayers invite God to lead us step by step, moment by moment. By making space for God’s Spirit and choosing to follow rather than lead, we open ourselves to His transforming presence and guidance along every path of life. [01:01:42]
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Reflection: Which of the three “pathway prayers” (not my way, Lord, but yours; Lord, I’m here to follow, not to lead; or what honors you, Lord, in this season?) do you most need to pray today? How will you make space to pray it and listen for God’s leading?
Quotes
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