Let God Lead You

Psalm 5:8  

       Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness 

       because of my enemies— 

       make straight your way before me.

What a beautiful verse for the morning.  Check out The Message translation:

 8  ...here I am, prostrate in your inner sanctum, 
   Waiting for directions 

      to get me safely through enemy lines. 

Here is the psalmist (writer of this passage) showing his total reliance on God.  It reminds me of the Santa Claus devo I wrote a few days ago.  As children of God, we must seek him.  No greater a posture of reverance than to lay prostrate before him.  Have you tried it lately?  To simply come before God, maybe a little worship music or instrumental in the background, and just lay before him and groan- there are very few things beyond this that will connect you will God in such a powerful way.  Simply coming to God asking the Spirit to intercede for you.

image taken from http://www.jennifermorser.com/id5.html

Start your day right.  Come to God in humble prayer.  At times, when you are hard pressed or when your "enemies" come at you, the easier approach would be to get even or find a way to justify yourself.  Why spend so much time so focused on justifying your cause?  If you have honored God, done what you could before all eyes, and simply have relied on the Spirit's guidance, let God, your Father, speak for you.  How about today you lay yourself before Him, and simply say, "...here I am, ...waiting for directions, ...get me safely through enemy lines"?

Dear Father.  I wait for you this morning.  Despite my fierce desire to justify myself or render pay back, I simply will trust that you will cause all things for my benefit and that you will justify me.  Lead and guide me today.  Teach me humility.  Do this for me today- this my humble prayer.  Amen.

  

He Lifts My Head

Psalm 3:3-5

3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

4 To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah

5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me

Growing up Vietnamese was confusing at times especially if you were educated in the states. At home I was taught to “live in humility and respect” towards those older or in higher authority. No doubt we were influenced by the Chinese philosopher, Confucius. I grew up always looking at the ground instead of looking directly at people.

In school I was encouraged to “speak up” and ask questions, but at home “speaking up” was taken as challenging authority. What a dichotomy. My teachers were frustrated that I never asked questions in class, and then when I mustered the nerves to speak up, my parents would remind me of my place- never question them.

As I study God’s word, I am reminded of the liberty we have in Christ. We don’t have to walk around like we are ashamed or as if we are the lowliest people on earth. Surely humility is not just found in “the posture”. If it were, Asians would be the humblest people on earth, and you and I know that Asians are not that humble! It takes more than bowing our physical body to be humble- especially towards God.

Back to my original thought- God lifts our head up high. Our heavenly Father sustains us and gives us reason to lift our head. We don’t have to walk around like we are the lowliest of people, but we can hold our head high because our Father is pleased with us because we are made right with Him through His son, Jesus.

As you go about today, here are three things to think about:

1. God is our shield. What is one to do with a shield? Hind behind it and seek its protection. Praise God that He is our shield and protection. Ask Him to protect your heart, your thoughts, your body, your family, and your spiritual growth today.

2. God answers us. Yes, He hears your prayers. Call to Him.

3. We have no fear of what is ahead and even the events passed because our God watches over us and turns all things for our benefit. And because I know God watches over me with good intentions I can rest without fear. Walk about today knowing that whatever comes your way is in God’s sight.

Dear Father, I rest in you today. You are my strength and shield. Thank you for my rest last night, and please continue to keep your eyes on me. Where are you at work that I may join you? Amen.

Maximize the Moment

Word for Today: Maximize the Moment

Proverbs 28:19 He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

On Thanksgiving Day I hope you had a wonderful time recounting what God has done for you and your loved ones this past year. Expressing your gratitude to God is a door for continual blessings. You probably thanked God for things that have already taken place and also held back on others because you're still waiting for them. You see, God is a well of abundant blessings. He has more.

God blesses us from a spring of blessings that does not end with just the event or that prayer, but He continues to build on things into the future- even things you haven't caught a glimpse of yet. But as God is doing this, continue to do your part.

When God called those in the Bible for great things, they were taking care of daily responsibilities or just seized the moment- Joseph just showed concern for his cellmates, the disciples were fishing, Moses was tending sheep, Mary was helping her family- you get the idea.

So today, with the holiday still fresh on your mind, give legs to those dreams. Continue to do what you've been doing to honor God and your word like saving money to pay off a debt, cleaning your house/room, studying for your midterms, and even setting aside time to study about these "heroes of the faith". God can make the ordinary into extraordinary. You just give legs to His work- keep working.

Enjoy and maximize the moment by making use of every opportunity. Lay a foundation for your dreams by doing all things well and continuing in your daily responsibilities- this gives legs to your dreams. This is what makes a moment worthwhile.

Father, thank you for today that what I do here has eternal value. Thank you for taking care of my present and my future. I ask that you lead me today and help me in finishing what is before me. But Lord, don't just help me do it, make it worthwhile! Amen.