THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Lord, how many times did the people who cared about the psalmist ask him, “How’s that abandoning God’s ways thingy working out for you?” Hopefully, many prayed and warned him to turn around—he was headed toward a cliff.

Like many who follow You, there was a period when the psalmist ignored Your edits to live as he desired. After all, he was a believer and took for granted You would bless his actions. God didn’t quite see it that way. Scripture tells of the psalmist’s plight: everything that could go wrong, went wrong. God, You loved him too much to let him continue on that downward path.

In mercy, You opened his spiritual eyes and he acknowledged his folly:

I pondered the direction of my life and turned to follow Your laws. Psalm 119:59

The psalmist was so human, just as we are. When he looked back at the close relationship he once had with You, and where that relationship stood now, did he scold himself—“What was I thinking? I gotta turn this ship around.” Did he humbly bow before You with a grateful heart for rescuing him from himself. He followed You faithfully the rest of his life, living Your blessings.

Lord, may I learn from the psalmist’s experience. When I ponder my life’s direction, may it be staying close to You, trusting Your leading all the way. True contentment and happiness are found living by Your precepts.

In Your love and authority, Jesus, Amen.