THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus
Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Lord, our dilemmas today are as old as what the psalmist faced three thousand years ago. Pursued by his enemies relentlessly, he faced uncertainty about his future and the direction his life was headed. Taking the wrong road could lead to disaster.

“Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me,” he pleaded. “Make your way plain for me to follow” (Psalm 5:8).

Despite a few painful disobedience bumps when he veered to follow his road, you led him safely through enemy territory to new levels of faith.

Facing life’s struggles today should cause me to plead the same. Lord, if I ask you to lead me, I must obey and follow where you lead, even when I don’t understand where you are headed. I fear you may take me to situations outside my comfort zone. You know I don’t like that.

You tell my inner man it doesn’t matter what you like—follow me. I have incredible plans for you.

I’ve suffered the consequences when I disagree with where you are going.

Foolish me. I veer off, cruising down my road. Hello disobedience bumps. Lord, I pray this never becomes a repeated action. With spiritual wounds that need healing, you welcome your battered and bruised child home.

Scripture emphasizes to follow your path, or my enemies will overtake me. What about this “enemies” issue? Lord, I’m a nice guy. I write stories about you. I smile at people. I always welcome people when I usher at church. As far as I know, I have no enemies.

Lord, is that you laughing out loud?

My inner man hears your tender voice. Child, you have more enemies than you can imagine. They desire to destroy you physically and spiritually. Sit down. I’ve got the list in my hand.

(Continued)