“But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?” (Galatians 4:9)

Knowing all these things, why do you act as though the Lord God is an afterthought?  It is fair to ask this question, for in five minutes you will likely be on to something else.  Why indeed?  We are caught up in the foul winds of this age which seek to destroy us.  Come then and walk humbly with your Maker.  Be guided by Him and not by the insanity of this age and its self-destruction.

Lord, You know all things.  You know what kind of terror is loose in this world.  Grant that I may have discernment to see through the noise and obfuscation of this age.  Help me to see simply the truth that You are God and all that I see is Yours.  Lead me in light and life to live according to Your Word and not according to the insane principles loose in this age of rebellion against You.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may walk humbly with You my Savior and be led in the way of truth.  Take my hand and lead me. Grant me a willing spirit that is humble and willing to be led by You.  Grant me a strong faith to hold fast against the foul winds of this age and the destruction they bring.  Amen.

“However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods” (Galatians 3:8).

We are tugged and pulled whether we like it or not.  The world around us influences us.  Will we follow what the world is saying loudly, or listen to the Holy Spirit who is speaking with a still, small voice?  Come out of the world and into the presence of the Lord and know that He who formed you will conform you to the image of His Son.  Be led by truth and not by the false winds of this age which blow where they will.

Lord, help me to see with clarity and know in truth that You have called me into Your eternal presence.  Guide me by Your goodness to live into the life for which I have been created.  Let me not fall down and worship the false gods of this age, but see Your hand in and through all that is around me.  Lord, in You alone is there hope, for this is Your creation and You know the purpose for which all things have their being.  Lead me, Lord, in truth, for Your Word is truth.

Word made flesh, my Lord and God, lead me out of the morass of this world and the waves that are battering on all sides.  Guide me according to Your will that I may walk in the newness of life that You give by grace.  Help me, O Lord, to stand firm amidst the chaos of this world and know that Your hand has me and that nothing in this world will ever be able to snatch me out of Your hand.  Amen.

“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God” (Galatians 4:6-7).

Think through the reality of the relationship which has been established in grace.  For a while we remain, if you will, like slaves, yet not like slaves.  We are subject to this world, yet in grace freed to become children of God through His grace.  You have become an heir with Christ through the cross in order to be lifted with Him to become like Him.  Come then into the inheritance of Christ and live.

Lord, teach me to live the life to which You have called me.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope and an eternal future.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of life that I may grow into the inheritance You give through the cross.  Guide me along this narrow path to see into and live the hope You give which belongs to as many as believe.  May I be strengthened in You!

Lord Jesus, You have come to set us free from the death which is ours because of sin.  Freed from death’s recompense, we now, in You, have the power to become children of the Heavenly Father.  Lead me this day in the journey of sanctification that I may live into the inheritance which is promised by Your grace.  Guide me in Your goodness to become whom You are making me to be.  Amen.

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

God knows what it is to be human.  Not only did He invent the whole thing, He experienced it first-hand.  He has set up everything to be as it needs to be.  We may not know the whole picture (and we do not), but we do know that the Lord has purpose in everything.  Come into His plan and stop trying to conform Him to your image.  Be led by the One in whom all things have their being.

Lord, help me see through those places where I think things are the way I imagine them to be.  Help me to see things as they are that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy.  You have come, Lord, that all who receive You may have new and abundant life.  You have done what we could not do in order that we may do what You have always intended.  Lead me, Lord, to where I need to go.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for accomplishing what for us would be impossible.  Guide me in Your goodness that I would now and forever be led in the strength of Your power and might.  Guide me, O Lord, today in the way You know I need to go that I may be led by You, the hope for us all.  Help me to see clearly, love as You would have me love, and be led by You always.  Amen.

“So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world” (Galatians 4:3).

It is a new life that we have been given in Christ.  Living into that new life, we are to mature in faith.  Some seem to think in terms of simply living for today and not worrying about tomorrow.  We are to grow each day, more and more in the likeness of Christ.  Come then and go on the journey that grows your life in Christ and your understanding of the truth of His leading.

Lord, I do need to learn things every day.  This is true in this age as well.  Let me not be stagnant in my understanding, nor unwilling to learn and grow.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always abide in what You have already revealed and live according to what I already know.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may be directed by You as You teach me and grow me in the way You know I need grow.

Lord Jesus, You have told us to abide in You as You abide in each one of us.  Abide with me this day that I may not remain as a child dwelling upon elemental things, but upon Your goodness and mercy knowing that only in You is there hope and a future.  Lead me into maturity that I may be guided in Your goodness to dwell upon what is right and fitting for Your redeemed child of grace.  Amen

“Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father” (Galatians 4:1-2).

This illustration is significant, for it speaks of direction, intent, and hope.  We are to be slaves to the Gospel, but we will not remain there.  The day will come when we shall stand face to face with Christ and know Him even as we have been fully known.  What then?  Only this: that in Christ is all hope and He is accomplishing what was promised beforehand in all who believe in the grace He gives.

Lord, help me to see the truth that You have revealed.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life that I may be guided in Your goodness and mercy.  Help me, O Lord, to know that in You alone is all hope and that what You are doing through Christ in me is making of me something new and different.  Lead me, O Lord, now and always that I may hold fast to the truth of Your will.

Lord Jesus, in You is all hope and a future.  You are the way, so lead me in You that I may go where You would have me go.  Guide me this day to live into the life for which You have created me and keep me ever close to You.  In Your goodness, help me look to you and know that what You said to the disciples I pray You will one day say to me and call me Your friend.  In the Father’s will, lead me always.  Amen.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us – for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” – in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13-14).

Christ overcame the curse upon the law.  Those who claim the law as the essential thing dismiss Christ.  Friends, it is about your relationship with Christ.  The rest of it is quite secondary.  Do not go back into the territory of wanting what has already been overcome.  Live in the freedom which is yours through Christ and know that in Him alone is all hope and the promise that comes only through faith.

Scripture says that we are justified by faith apart from works of the law.  It is further said that we are saved by grace through faith in order to be eternally united with the Father.  Why settle for the elemental and no longer relevant things?  Come into the freedom of walking humbly with your Lord and Savior, Be guided by His goodness that you would know the truth and be forever set free.

Lord Jesus, You are the way, truth, and life.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would not wander as some do.  Keep me from the snares from which You have already freed me.  Help me now and always to know that in You alone is all hope and a future.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may follow in Your grace and mercy and live by faith according to the Father’s good and gracious will.  Amen. 

“However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them” (Galatians 3:12).

The law is not of faith.  Why do some speak of spiritual laws?  Faith is believing God at His Word.  Faith is trusting God in His promises.  Ultimately, do you want to live by your ability, or by what God has promised?  Trust in the Lord always and know that in His goodness He will bring to pass all that He has promised.  Live by faith and not by works that You may be assured of salvation.

Lord, it is so tempting to be afraid and trust only in what I see.  Guide me, Lord, through the maze of this world that I would be guided by Your goodness and mercy.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of faith and away from making a law out of things.  In Your goodness, O Lord, You have given me the promises of hope and assurance.  Why would I trade these in for anything else?  Help me trust in You and keep me from evil.

Lord Jesus, You have fulfilled the law.  In You all things find their completion.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may know the breadth, depth, and wonder of Your love.  Keep me on the narrow path of faith that I may learn more and more how trustworthy You are and how little this age can be trusted.  Lead me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go and then help me cling to You always.  Amen.

“Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:11).

It is here that many depart.  Or at least it seems so.  We say we are justified by faith, so why do so many live as though they must do something?  Is not the grace of Christ sufficient?  Yes, and more than that, it demonstrates the difference Christ makes as we become what He is shaping us to be by conforming us to His image.  Come then on the journey that Christ has prepared.

Lord, You must lead and I must follow.  Guide me, O Lord, that I would indeed follow where You lead.  You have fulfilled the law and it is what lies beyond that matters and not whether I can figure out how to obey the law too.  Lead me as You have all the saints that I may live into this new life You have in store for all who are walking or have walked this life of faith in grace.

Lord Jesus, there are many things You have taught Your disciples.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may walk in the newness of life that You give by grace.  Let me see and understand the law with new eyes, with Your eyes.  In all things, empower me by Your grace that I would be one who is following You always.  You have given me faith.  Teach me how to live by that faith that I may become like You.  Amen.

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them” (Galatians 3:10).

The curse is real and we are under it.  But, through the death of Christ on the cross, the power of sin has lost its sting.  The power of sin is the law and Christ has overcome by perfectly fulfilling for us what was needed.  This does not give us permission to do as we please, but liberty to live out the goodness of God’s love and direction in a world that is constantly at war with God and one another.

Lord, teach me these invaluable lessons that I would not be hindered by wrong thinking or a lack of action.  Guide me into the life You are preparing for me that I would now and always look to You, the source of all life, for guidance.  Let me not live as one cursed, but as one who has been set free to live in the power You give to become a child of the Heavenly Father.  Lead me in through and by all the means You know are necessary.

Lord Jesus, You did not come to do away with the law but to fulfill it.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always be guided in the truth toward You and all that You have in store for those who follow in Your footsteps.  You know all that is needed.  Help me to trust You more and more each day so that I can journey truly with You in the way You know I need to go.  Amen.