"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground" - I quickly skimmed through youversion's bible verse of the day in my weak attempt to blitz through devotion time with God. Often in my pride, I choose to think that the verses offered aren't relevant to my situation or season of life and then either commence an "app crawl" to look for the PERFECT bible verse that I felt like hearing, or forget it at all and get on with my tight Facebook and YouTube schedule.
Somehow tonight, the Spirit prompted me to read the verse in its context: chapter 143 in the book of Psalm.."Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy" immediately I thought "this is another one of those Psalms where David is being chased by his enemies..well I'm not in much danger like David was, so it probably wouldn't relate to me".
Little did I know how much it actually does relate to me.. To us!
V1-2 - Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgement, for no one living is righteous before you.
Dare I say that I am not in need of God's mercy? Forbid it Lord, may that day never come! As David, known as "the man after God's own heart" points out - no one living is righteous before our Lord. He is righteousness itself and who can withstand His judgement? David acknowledged his sinful self before his Holy God and so should I.
V3-4 - The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.
The devil prowls around for opportunities to draw our attention away from the cross, from eternity. As he did with Adam and Eve eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, resulting in sin and death, he continues to seize the slightest opportunities to pull us to make our dwelling in the darkness. Subtly, drastically, consciously or subconsciously, each choice to place my interest over God's is a step towards the dark dwelling place. Before you know it, each step becomes easier and suddenly you find yourself like Adam and Eve, hiding from God in shame and not knowing how to get back to where you came from.
V5-7 - I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
I remember MY days of long ago. The first love I seem to have forsaken - the excitement of dwelling in the presence of God, reading, meditating on and loving His words, living it out and witnessing His faithfulness in the lives of those around me. I want to go back there. To when my heart was filled and content with God, before I allowed weeds of worry and pride into my heart. Before they started to take root and compete for my time, energy and attention. Please Lord, have mercy on me, forgive me for my wandering heart and turn Your face towards me.
V8-10 - Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Let EVERY morning bring me word of Your unfailing love. Let Your way be THE way in my life. As I flee from temptations of wasting my life on myself, Facebook and YouTube videos of dancing with the Stars, help me hide in the presence of God and His word. May I be led by the Spirit daily.
V11-12 - For your name's sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.
Yes Lord, preserve me till the end of time. Help me to stand firm. Help me to love You with all my heart. As Jesus comes again, the enemy will be silenced once and for all, but dear Lord, have mercy on me
