Good morning,
Lead me in the right path.
It seems that God’s children, in our day, are about to begin to understand what it means to be a follower of the God who loves his children perfectly. Remember what Jesus told his disciples. "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.(Mat.28:18) The God who gave us life is also the God who longs to give us eternal life that begins now in the darkness of sin and rebellion in a whole new way. Instead of living for ourselves, he longs for us to share his love with the people around us. If we are going to do that we are told, Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.(v.20) we will have to take a whole different outlook on what it means to be a Christian. Sadly, it seems that our enemy has succeeded in getting us to see trusting Jesus as a way of leading a better life and getting God to keep his promises and be successful and loved by those around us. We also like the sound of what he said, And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”(v.20) With a little bit of a twist, we see Jesus as the one who owes us the good life here on earth.
David, a man after God’s own heart, gives us a very different perspective on what is involved in being faithful to the God he loved. He prayed, Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.(Psa.5:8) David was asking for help because for almost all of his life he was surrounded by enemies. My enemies cannot speak a truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with flattery.(v.9) David knew he was a sinner and that living around that kind of pressure it would be easy to focus on himself and not on his Lord and his purpose in life. His way of dealing with that was to pray, Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.(Psa.139:23,24) David knew as all the other people in God’s Word knew, that obedience to God’s truth was what was needed if they were ever be successful in following and serving their Savior and Lord.
David also gives another outcome of following God’s way when he prayed, But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.(Psa.5:11) Though his life was filled with battles, he knew what it means to have the joy of the Lord. He learned as he grew that everything the Lord had said was trustworthy, and when he focused on obedience instead of what he wanted for himself he could say, For you bless the godly, O LORD you surround them with your shield of love.(v.12) Dear Lord, will you keep us focused on knowing you, believing you and obeying you instead of being captured by the hate and anger and fear that is whirling around us.
Psalms 5:8 Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.
Roy Wisner
