Teach Me

Week 47, Monday

Rita Salter

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 (nasb)

When God called me overseas six years ago, I didn’t have a clue what that really meant, I just knew that He told me to go. He sent me to Mali to do a job that required the use of my greatest weakness—speaking.

Daily greetings were mandatory, and initiating conversations with people an integral part of my assignment—to find out which people groups in Mali do not have adequate access to the gospel and then engage them. The task was understandable. Sounded simple, but how to begin?

Every time I made a phone call, I would have to muster every ounce of courage just to pick up the phone. What if I was interrupting them? What if I said something stupid? I would cry out, “Lord, Your Word says that You will instruct me and teach me, that You will counsel me. I need You to do that.” This has become my life verse, and God has been faithful.

Later, I began traveling to remote areas. This involved another realm of faith. Who would travel with me? How would I know the way? What would I say when I got there? “Lord, You know the way. Your Word says that You will instruct me. I trust that You will lead me safely to the villages and when I need to speak, You will give me words to say.”

I was amazed to find so many who had never heard the name of Jesus. Who would come and tell them? How would I make this need known? I had never lead volunteer teams. I had never planted a church. What did I know? “Lord, You know the need, and Lord, I need Your instruction now more than ever. Please counsel me and tell me which way I should go.”

Who am I? Some people think I’m courageous. I’m not. I am a coward who just happens to believe God’s Word. As a result, twelve new people groups in Mali are hearing the gospel, and hundreds have responded and been baptized. What about you? Do you believe? If you know His voice, then run to Him expectantly. He will take you on the greatest journey of your life—the journey of faith.

Lord, I confess that I have been holding back due to the unknowns. Teach me to simply believe and act on Your Word today. Instruct me and teach me in the way I should go. I want to know the joys of trusting and walking with You in faith—sincere, childlike faith. Amen.