Psalm 32 verse 8. (Two translations)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (NIV Anglicised version)
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.” (NLT Translation)
A parent doing their best for their children will teach them how to do things for themselves. Even as adults we can find ourselves in situations where we need to learn new skills, at work for example. A good teacher will share their skills with us so that we know what to do, but they will supervise how we do things to make sure we are doing it properly.
I love both translations of this verse because they each teach us different things about the Father heart of God. He wants us to live our best life – the one He planned for us, and He watches over our path with His loving eyes on us, even if we make bad choices, His eyes are not critical ones. He wants to guide us, just as any good parent would, along the best pathway, but the choice is ours; He will not force us to go His way. He will counsel us in love but its up to us whether we listen. However, His loving eye will always be on us, and He will guide us back on to the right path if we lose our way.
Dear Lord,
It makes me smile to think of Your loving eye on me. Help me to remember that Your instruction is always given in love, even when You’re telling me things I don’t want to hear. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.