Wandering off on my Own

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 43. Here is what I learned.

Send me your light and ·truth [faithfulness] to ·guide [lead] me. Let them ·lead [bring] me to your holy mountain [Zion, the location of the Temple], to ·where you live [your dwelling]. Psalm 43:3 (EXB)

Send your light and your truth. Let them guide me. Let them bring me to your holy mountain and to your dwelling place. Psalm 43:3 (GW)

Guide: a primitive root; to guide; by implication, to transport.

Lately there have been reports of hikers lost because they chose to leave the paths/trails and venture out on their own. Some hikers were found safe, others lost their lives. The paths provide a safe way to navigate through the wilderness. Yet, some think they know better, or want to prove that they are capable of making their own path, or are attracted/distracted by something off the path. 

The same is true in life. God not only has designed a path, but provides the light to direct me as I walk along. He provides guidance and will lead me safely. Yet, I too often am distracted by what is off the path, or I want to take a different path, because I think I know a better way. However, each time I wonder off on my own, I end up struggling, unhappy, dissatisfied at what I found, discouraged at mess I created for myself, and wandering around wondering how to find my way back to the path. 

Thankfully, God never loses sight of me as I wander off on my own. He is waiting to lead me back to His path, as soon I say... “help”. You’d think over time, I’d stop wandering off on my own, realizing that it only leads to trouble. But I’m a slow learner and quick forgetter of what I have learned. Thankfully, God is patient, gracious, and merciful. And no matter how many times I wander off the path and go out on my own, God is waiting and watching ready to lead me back to the path. 

To create a positive day, I need to stay on the path God has laid out for me, and not go wandering off on my own. 

All-inclusive Set

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The sixth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 43. Here's what Treasure I found today.

Send me your light and ·truth [faithfulness] to ·guide [lead] me. Let them ·lead [bring] me to your holy mountain [Zion, the location of the Temple], to ·where you live [your dwelling]. Psalm 43:3 (EXB)

Send your light and your truth.  Let them guide me. Let them bring me to your holy mountain and to your dwelling place. Psalm 43:3 (GW)

Light and Truth. An all inclusive set. 

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Who is there to fear? The Lord is my life’s fortress. Who is there to be afraid of? Psalm 27:1 (GW)

You are the lamp who lights my way; the Eternal, my God, lights up my darkness. Psalm 18:28 (VOICE)

Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path. I will keep my solemn promise to obey your just instructions. Psalm 119: 105-106 (GNT)

"Light and Truth." Delightful and all-comprehensive words. They contain all the salvation and all the desire of a believing, confiding soul. But it is only when thus combined - separated they are no longer a ground of trust and joy. For what would favour avail without faithfulness? It would be no more than the uncertain friendship of men, who smile today and reproach tomorrow; who make large promises, but do not perform them. On the other hand, truth without light, faithfulness without grace, would be only the dreadful execution of terrible but just denunciations on the transgressors of the holy law. The promise of the Great Deliverer was given; then faithfulness was enlisted on the side of grace, and became engaged for its bestowment; "mercy and truth met together; righteousness and peace kissed each other." Since then, all humble and trusting souls have beheld them united, and have made their union the ground of their confidence and joy. Henry March

Light and Truth. An all-inclusive, all-comprehensive set. "Mercy and truth met together; righteousness and peace kissed each other."

Shine Jesus Shine

Don Moen

Lord, the light of your love is shining

In the midst of the darkness, shining

Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us

Set us free by the truth you now bring us

Shine on me, shine on me

Shine, Jesus, shine

Fill this land with the Father's glory

Blaze, Spirit, blaze

Set our hearts on fire

Flow, river, flow

Flood the nations with grace and mercy

Send forth your word

Lord, and let there be light

Lord, I come to your awesome presence

From the shadows into your radiance

By the blood I may enter your brightness

Search me, try me, consume all my darkness

Shine on me, shine on me

As we gaze on your kingly brightness

So our faces display your likeness

Ever changing from glory to glory

Mirrored here may our lives tell your story

Shine on me, shine on me

Shine Jesus Shine

To create a positive day, I must accept God’s all inclusive set of  Light and Truth, and then act accordingly! 

Leave the Driving to Him—I’m Just Along for the Ride!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 67. Here is what I learned.

The ·nations [peoples] should be glad and sing because you judge people fairly. You ·guide [lead] all the ·nations [peoples] on earth. ·Selah Psalm 67:4 (EXB)

May all nations celebrate together, singing joy-filled songs of praise to You because You judge the people fairly and give guidance to all the nations of the earth. Psalm 67:4 (VOICE)

O let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You will judge the peoples fairly and guide, lead, or drive the nations upon earth. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 67:4 (AMP)

Guide: to lead, direct, to transport.

God will guide, lead, transport me in accordance to His will and purpose. As I read this verse, I thought, I’m along for the ride! God will do the “driving” so to speak. I just have to be willing to join Him and allow Him to lead and transport me! 

God has given me an amazing friend, who graciously and willing drives me to my doctors’ appointments and surgeries. When we go to a  new office, we have a choice. We can just drive around and hope we find the office, or we can print out the directions and maps and then know where we are headed and arrive at our destination. Really, my part is easy, I just read the directions, and recline back and relax. My friend, navigates the traffic, the road construction, detours, etc. But I have learned to trust my friend. I know that she will get us to our destination. 

The same can be true in life. If I allow God to guide, transport, “drive” me, then I can relax knowing full-well that He will get me to the destination He has chosen. However, many times I find myself wanting to do one of two things, 1) jump out and go my own way, or 2) move over into the driver's seat. However, either of those two choices will result in many delays, detours, and perhaps even heartache and/or misery. 

To create a positive day, I simply have to join God and leave the driving to Him—I’m just along for the ride!