How can Psalm 119:7 inspire us to seek God's guidance in decisions? Verse in Focus “I will praise You with an upright heart when I learn Your righteous judgments.” (Psalm 119:7) What the Psalmist Declares • Praise flows from learning God’s “righteous judgments”—His revealed standards and decisions • An “upright heart” is inseparable from growing knowledge of His Word • The psalmist links worship and obedience: as he understands Scripture, his life and lips respond in praise Why This Matters for Our Decisions • God’s judgments are perfect, timeless templates for right choices • Learning them realigns our motives, guarding us from self-centered or culture-driven thinking • Praise keeps decision-making God-focused, reminding us that life’s outcomes belong to Him, not to chance Practical Steps to Seek God’s Guidance 1. Immerse in His Word – Set aside daily, unhurried time to “learn” His righteous judgments (Joshua 1:8) 2. Examine motives through praise – Before weighing options, start with worship; praising Him exposes hidden selfishness and invites humility 3. Filter choices through clear commands – Ask, “Does this align with what God calls righteous?” (Psalm 19:8) 4. Lean on promised direction – Trust that “in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6) 5. Seek confirming wisdom – Humbly ask: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God… and it will be given” (James 1:5) 6. Walk in the light given – Move forward when His Word and Spirit grant peace, knowing “your ears will hear… ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21) Additional Scriptures that Echo the Call • Psalm 37:23 – “The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD…” • Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” • Colossians 3:15 – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” Encouragement for the Journey Praise-saturated study of Scripture transforms decision-making from anxious guesswork into confident, God-guided steps. As Psalm 119:7 shows, the more we learn His righteous judgments, the more our hearts align with His will—and the more natural it becomes to seek and follow His guidance in every choice. |