THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus
Monday, July 1, 2024

Lord, the psalmist promised this time would be different. He meant it. I will obey your Word and order my life accordingly.

Being honest, he admitted where he was headed. “I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your ways” (Psalm 119:59 NLT). He faced the truth. For someone so gifted, why was he acting like a fool? He had to turn his ship around.

On our faith journey, how many Christ followers stump their toes at some time and find themselves in a similar situation? The truth of Psalm 119:58–59 is timeless. The psalmist saw where he was headed and did a 180 to again follow your ways. Like countless millions, Lord, you bandaged my toes and helped me make that turn too.

Acknowledging our wandering ways, we found living by our rules and whims left us hanging. Nothing seemed to work as planned. Wasn’t being your own man/woman supposed to bring fulfillment? What about the joy when we trash-canned the biblical mandates and lived for the moment? As blatant as the lie is, many of us still fell for the whopper that throwing off the restraints of old-fashioned, out-of-date values leads to freedom and happiness. Like the psalmist, how many looked in the mirror and asked, “How’s this working out for you?”

Lord, lessons learned. No longer would we be steamrolled by the enemy of our soul. No more wandering. Everyone who has been on the receiving end of your amazing grace is eager to tell how living by your values leads to true contentment and satisfaction. Experiencing the peace we have with you and your peace residing within us makes living for you all worthwhile.

Amen, Jesus.