Who is the best GPS? ∙∙

Who is the best GPS? ∙∙

I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me. – Psalms 86:7

Psalms 86:1-13

O LORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me contentment, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me. No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do! For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God.

Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart, I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death.

The Development of GPS

The Global Positioning System (GPS) was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense in 1973 primarily for military purposes. During the Cold War, GPS was viewed as a crucial tool for national security, serving as an essential component of the U.S. military’s strategy against the escalating nuclear threat. The original system comprised 24 satellites arranged in orbital planes spaced 120 degrees apart, which worked in conjunction with ground stations.

These satellites acted as artificial “stars,” providing reference points for accurate geographic positioning. Initially, GPS technology offered precision within a few meters; however, advancements have since improved its accuracy to within a centimeter. By 1995, GPS was fully operational, and civilian access to the system was made available in the 1980s, revolutionizing navigation for the general public.

Today, GPS has become an indispensable tool in our daily lives. Whether on our smartphones or in our vehicles, we rely on GPS for directions, maps, and navigation guidance. It’s now common to request directions and receive clear, step-by-step instructions to reach our destinations.

The Father’s Eternal GPS

Long before the invention of GPS, the Father established His own guidance system for humanity. His wisdom and direction are precise, accurate, and timeless. Unlike modern GPS systems that are limited to physical navigation, the Father’s guidance anticipates every contingency, addressing both the present and the future. His counsel is not confined to geographical paths; it extends to the spiritual, emotional, and moral dimensions of life.

While GPS is merely a tool, a lifeless instrument designed to help us move from one location to another, the Father is a living, personal being. He interacts with us in real time, offering not just direction but also a relationship.

David’s Relationship with the Father

David’s life illustrates the profound nature of his relationship with the Father. His love for the Father is vividly expressed in Psalms 86, a prayer that radiates his confidence in the Father’s love and faithfulness. Unlike a GPS, which provides impersonal directions, the Father engages with us on a personal level. David’s prayer captures this intimacy as he expresses his love for the Father while acknowledging the Father’s unwavering kindness and faithfulness.

David’s reliance on the Father stemmed from love and trust rather than obligation. He sought to align his life with the Father’s will, responding to His guidance with gratitude and devotion. This dynamic contrasts sharply with our interaction with a GPS, which we follow out of necessity instead of love. A GPS does not concern itself with our well-being, while the Father’s guidance is grounded in His love and care for us.

Psalms 86: A Cry for Help

Psalms 86 is one of David’s heartfelt prayers, composed during a time of desperation. Surrounded by enemies intent on destroying him, David cries out to the Father for protection and deliverance. His prayer reveals the depth of his relationship with the Father, which has been built on years of experience and trust. David knows the Father’s character intimately, His goodness, mercy, and steadfast love. This understanding gives David unshakable confidence in the Father’s willingness to protect and care for him.

David’s appeal to the Father is rooted in his comprehension of His magnificent character. The prayer is filled with descriptions of the Father’s nature: He is gracious, kind, forgiving, and abundant in mercy and lovingkindness. He is dependable and steadfast, serving as a refuge in times of trouble. David’s words reflect not only his need but also his deep reverence and love for the Father.

REFLECT & PRAY

When we genuinely understand Who the Father is and the depth of His love for us, trusting Him becomes second nature. His guidance is not just about showing us the way; it invites us into a life filled with purpose and a relationship with Him. Unlike a GPS that only provides directions, the Father offers Himself, His presence, His love, and His wisdom.

Father, I want to live according to Your ways and participate in the plans You have for me. Help me to stop seeking my own path and instead follow Yours. Teach me to trust in Your wisdom and depend on Your steadfast love.

INSIGHT

A Disheartening Misstep in Prayer: Seeking Our Own Way

Too often, when we pray, we approach the Father with our own plans, asking Him to endorse and carry them out. This mindset, though common, is one of the main reasons our prayers are ineffective. When our expectations aren’t met, we may feel defeated, sad, or even angry.

True and effective prayer, however, is not about asking the Father to fulfill our desires. It is about aligning ourselves with His will. As Jesus taught, effective prayer seeks to have the Father’s will done on earth as it is in heaven. It is always about His plans, not ours. The Father is constantly at work, and He graciously invites us to participate in His purposes (Blackaby). Effective prayer, then, is not about persuading the Father to join us in our plans but about seeking to join Him in His.

The Heart of Effective Prayer

Effective prayer begins with a focus on our relationship with the Father. It requires us to examine our hearts, align our motivations with His, and prepare ourselves to hear His direction. There are specific steps we can take to cultivate this kind of prayer life.

1. Self-Check and Cleansing

The first step in effective prayer is self-examination. We must ask the Father if there is anything in our lives that might hinder our prayers. When He brings something to mind, through the simple act of confession, we receive forgiveness and cleansing. As 1 John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

2. Surrendering Our Desires

When our hearts are set on our own desires, we often find that things do not work out as we hope. True surrender involves exchanging our self-interest for the Father’s interest. As Jesus prayed in Luke 22:42, “Not My will, but Yours be done.” This act of surrender allows us to align our hearts with His and trust in His perfect plans.

3. Spending Time in the Word and Waiting

The Father has given us His Word as a solid foundation for our lives. Scripture is our light and guide, offering clarity and direction. As Psalms 119:105 states, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The more we immerse ourselves in the truths of Scripture, the clearer our path becomes. However, we must also resist the temptation to rush ahead of the Father in pursuit of our own way. Waiting on Him requires patience and trust, knowing that His timing is always perfect.

David’s Prayer for an Undivided Heart

David’s prayer in Psalms 86 beautifully demonstrates the essence of effective prayer. In Psalms 86:11-13, he cries out to the Father: “Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever. For Your lovingkindness toward me is great.”

David longed to walk in a way that delighted and honored the Father. His plea to “unite my heart” reveals a desire for a heart that is undivided and entirely focused on the Lord. As Wiersbe describes, A perfect heart is a sincere heart that loves God alone and stays true to Him. David aimed to align his whole being with the Father’s will, knowing that true joy and purpose come from living in harmony with Him.

Recalculating Your Spiritual Destination

Perhaps it’s time to pause and do some “recalculating” of your spiritual life. Just like a GPS recalibrates to keep us on track when we go off course, the Father provides us with a much more accurate and dependable guidance system. His Word and His Spirit give us the direction we need to face life’s challenges and fulfill His plans. By aligning our hearts with His, surrendering our desires, and seeking His will, we can walk confidently along the path He has laid out for us.

David’s life reminds us that the Father’s guidance is more than just a set of instructions; it’s an invitation to a relationship. His mercy, grace, and steadfast love go beyond anything we could imagine. When we trust in Him, we find not only direction but also peace, purpose, and the joy of His presence.

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© Dr. H 2025