The Speed of Guidance: Finding Favor in our Failures — Purity 1944
— By M.T. Clark, 04/22/2026 – Purity 1944 Audio Podcast
Purity 1944 on YouTube:
Good morning,
Today’s photo of the sun setting over the “hump” of my house down by the river comes to us from yours truly. I paused to capture this peaceful scene while I was mowing my lawn on Monday afternoon. I loved the way the sun lines up between the buildings, casting that long shadow on the grass—creating a “sun pathway” leading right up to me. It felt like a reminder that God sees me and that His favor shines upon me, even when things may be dark to the left and to the right.
Well, it’s Wednesday, and I share today’s photo of the peak of my house’s roof as a visual representation of our arrival at another midweek summit. Happy hump day! It serves to remind us all that God has a path for us that is lighted with His favor and grace.
As I prepare for TammyLyn’s big move to Glens Falls this Saturday morning, I got some good news from my brother, Michael. Last weekend, Mike was kind enough to let me borrow his truck to complete “phase one” of the move, only to have me return it to him with a broken windshield on Sunday afternoon. Of course, I apologized and assured him that I would pay for the cost of the repair or the deductible. He believed the deductible would be $500. I offered to Venmo him the cash on Sunday, but he decided to put in a claim with Geico first.
Yesterday evening, Mike texted me to let me know that his insurance company informed him there was no deductible due, and he is scheduled to get the windshield replaced on Saturday at no cost! I don’t know if that is just good insurance or the Lord’s favor—but I’ll take it! It looks like the accident won’t cost me anything other than the embarrassment and the testing I was challenged with.
When the accident happened, a part of me felt I should report it to Mike right away and even return the truck. However, I still needed it for Saturday’s mini-move. I prayed about it and felt I should use the truck for good and inform Mike on Sunday morning. Why ruin his weekend, right? Besides, the truck was invaluable in getting TammyLyn’s things moved.
Sometimes we are not going to do things perfectly, and we will make mistakes, but our failings shouldn’t prevent us from pressing forward for the greater good. I decided that since the damage was done, I had to press through and keep going in spite of the mistake. In this life, we won’t always be perfect, but when we follow the Lord’s lead, we have to trust that He will not only forgive us but help us with His favor even when we don’t deserve it.
Speaking of following God’s lead, I’m sharing the second part of the In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley devotional’s teaching on guidance today. It picks up where we left off on Monday, moving from cleansing our hearts to actually surrendering our will.
Charles Stanley writes:
“Seeking Guidance: The Pattern
When we truly believe God’s way is best and let go of our own plans, we position ourselves to hear His voice.
Matthew 7:7-8
Yesterday, we saw there’s a pattern to seeking God’s guidance, and the first step—cleansing—is important throughout the entire process. Interestingly, all but one of the remaining steps have no particular order and can actually fit together in many ways.
After we’ve asked for cleansing, we must surrender—this is not an admission of weakness but, rather, an expression of humility and trust. The Lord is looking for commitment to follow Him no matter what. Therefore, surrender must precede even our prayers for guidance. 1 John 5:14-15 says that the Lord hears and grants our petitions when we ask according to His will.
God often guides believers to an answer through His Word (Psalm 119:105). Our reading might take us to a passage that deals with our specific situation, or it might reveal a principle that applies. God can also speak a clear message directly to a person’s heart. The key is to believe that the Lord is going to guide you—and then to live out that faith (Mark 11:24).
The process of seeking guidance is often slow. We are wise to be patient, because running ahead or manipulating circumstances can be a costly mistake. Our omniscient, sovereign God “acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him” (Isaiah 64:4). Those who seek direction will receive—that’s a promise (Matthew 7:7-8). — Charles Stanley
Amen. That line about “running ahead or manipulating circumstances” really hits home for me. How often do we try to force an answer or rush a transition because we’re uncomfortable in the “waiting” phase?
We want our problems to be resolved today, but God might be using the delay to teach us how to surrender and to trust in Him. As Stanley says, surrender isn’t weakness; it’s trust. It’s saying, “Lord, I want Your will more than I want my way.”
When we finally get to that point, the obstacles in our path don’t seem so daunting because we know we aren’t walking it alone. We get our strength and wisdom from living in the presence of God and living according to His wisdom and ways.
Our walk with the Lord is continuous and progressive, leading us from here to eternity. It’s not a sprint, and it’s certainly not about being perfect. It’s about being surrendered.
If you’re struggling to find direction today, check your heart. Have you surrendered the outcome to Him, or are you still trying to do things in your own strength?
It’s okay to seek God’s guidance and to ask for help. You are not alone in your struggles, and sometimes God wants you to reach out to Him and the people He has put in your life to help you find a way. And sometimes He wants you to carry on and to trust that things will work out if you remain faithful and keep working and doing the next right thing.
Remember, our walk is about progress, not perfection. So every step forward is a good step. Be patient, wait on the Lord, and watch how He clears the path.
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