Psalms – Prayers of Honest and Praise
When you plan a trip to go to a very exciting place for vacation, to visit family, for a new job, or just to take a drive, you plan. You plan what will be needed for the trip. You plan how to pack all those things into suitcases and backpacks. Then you plan how you are going to get all those bags of stuff into the vehicle. Oh, but what about snacks? You go to the store and spend money on snacks for about hundred people even though there are only two of you. Don’t forget about those “just in case” items that must go in, too. So, you pack those items in and around all the other stuff you now have in the vehicle. Did we forget anything? Yes! A first aide kit “just in case” someone gets a cut finger or bad indigestion. Now, do we have it all together? Are we ready to make the trip?
Wait, how do we get there? What about the directions to getting there? Do we just start driving and hope for best? Mm, how long will it take to get to our destination that way? To those of us (me) who like to get there in the most efficient way possible, we follow the guidance of Mapquest or some other app on our mobile devices. This “inner voice” guides us exactly to where we need to be. She even guides us around troubling traffic jams. Yes, we rely on the lady in the phone to get us where we want to be.
That’s just one trip. What about LIFE? How do we get to our most important, final destination with God? And what about all the side trips along the way? How do we get there?
Psalm 119, The MessagePart Two
9-16 How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;
don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.
I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I’ll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it.
I relish everything you’ve told me of life,
I won’t forget a word of it.
HEART CHECK:
BUT, what if we make a wrong turn or miss a turn that we should take? We feel the stress build, destroying our peace. There is nothing more frustrating that to be where you are not familiar and take a wrong turn. The voice on our phone says “recalculating…recalculating” with seriousness, warning us to follow her advice to get back where we need to be.
The Holy Spirit does that for us!
We have the power of Christ living in us when we repent of going our own way, letting go of self control for His control over our destination and the Way to get there. God’s Word is clear…”carefully read the map” of His Word. Be focused on the One who will take you to places you have never dreamed about before knowing Him. Be a learner who feasts on His Word, not as a snack, but as food that causes great spiritual health and growth. Listen to God’s counsel. When you hear the voice of His Holy Spirit say, “recalculating…here’s how to get back on the road to your destination”, listen and do it!
Watch how God works and give Him praise. Tell others about all God has done, is doing and will do for them, too. Tell them about the “map” and “the Voice” of the Holy Spirit. Trust and obey…for there’s no other way! (Song in my mind at the moment.)
THEN…like the Psalmist…don’t forget!
So, where are you going? How will you get there? Who will you follow? Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Your Word. Thank you for saving us, dear Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit for guiding us, correcting and “recalculating” our steps with love and mercy. Thank you for showing us THE Way and showing us HOW to get there. Help us to let go of all the baggage we do not need to take along. Help us to let go of going our own way. Help us to focus on you, follow in your direction with eagerness and expectancy for the next adventure WITH You.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 