Psalm 143:8-10 - Waking and Walking With God.
Psalm 143:8-10 (NIV) 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 lift up my soul. 9 Rescue me from
my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my
God; may your good Spirit lead me on level
ground.
Psalm 143:8-10 (NLT) Let me hear of your
unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to
you to hide me. 10 Teach me to do your will, for
you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me
forward on a firm footing.
INTRODUCTION
David's prayer was to be taught to do God's
will, not his own. A prayer for guidance is
self-centered if it doesn't recognize God's power to
redirect our lives. Asking God to restructure our
priorities awakens our minds and stirs our will. [Life
Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
What do you think about when you wake up?
Are your thoughts instantly focused on the day
ahead, or are they centered on the Lord? Although
most of us have busy lives that consume much of
our time and attention, the most important and
time-saving part of each day is that spent in quiet
solitude with God.
Yet many believers feel so rushed that
they don't think there's time for the Lord. They
immediately jump onto the treadmill of life and then
wonder why they're so frustrated, confused, and
dissatisfied. Even if their desire is to follow God, they
don't know where He's going since they haven't
stopped to get directions for the day. There's also
a disconnect because they've ignored their
relationship with Him. NO ONE CAN HAVE INTIMACY WITH
CHRIST WITHOUT DAILY COMMUNICATION.
Perhaps the problem is our own human
logic. We think spending time reading the Bible and
praying each morning will result in having less time
and lower productivity. However, when we seek
Christ's direction and wisdom for the day and invite
Him to control our lives, He'll accomplish more
through us than we can do by ourselves. He'll give
us wisdom for good decisions, increase our
strength and energy, and free us from time-wasting
anxiety.
Are you too busy for the Lord? If so,
you're denying yourself the blessing of an intimate
relationship with Christ. When you make time for Him,
He'll fill you with peace and joy, guide your
decisions, grant you wisdom, empower you to obey, make
you more productive, and comfort you with His
love. [In Touch Daily Devotional by Charles
Stanley at www.intouch.org]
COMMENTARY
Our ways are not God's ways, and God
doesn't keep that fact a secret. His prophet Isaiah
spoke on His behalf: " 'For My thoughts are not
your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says
the LORD" (55:8).
God's ways aren't our ways, so He must
teach us to do His will. And the fact that He has
given us His Word - and His Spirit - reveals His
desire to teach us. The issue becomes whether we
want to be His students.
Do you want to learn? Do you want to
become skilled at living in ways that run counter
to your nature? Do you want to do things that
the world at large finds laughable? Do you want
to live according to values that your society
regards as old-fashioned? Do you want to look
foolish in the eyes of your neighbors and
co-workers, perhaps even your family and your friends?
The choice is yours. It's a choice that
affects how you walk through your day. It's a choice
that affects eternity. The Lord wants to teach
you His ways. The question is, do you want to
learn? [Being Still With God Every Day by Henry
Blackaby re vs. 10]
CLOSING THOUGHT
I have a lot to do today. It isn't the
busiest day I've ever had, but I've crammed a lot
into the next few hours. I've got meetings, work,
family obligations, and errands to run. It isn't
going to be easy to get it all done. In fact, it
will be impossible. Something is going to have to
wait.
My "to do" list for today can be broken
down into three parts. There are the things that
need to get done, the things that should get
done, and the things that would be nice to get
done. For example, my kids want me to go play
laser tag during lunch. Spending time with my kids
is a high priority, so that floats to the top
of the list. Spending time with God in prayer
and the Word - also a high priority. Getting the
backup external hard drive for my computer falls
into the "would be nice to get done" category.
There will always be things that need to
be done and people who would like our time.
Establishing priorities can take some of the stress out
of making the right choices. High priority
should be those things that last (usually, that
involves relationships). We can't put the low
priority items off forever, but we can plug them in
around the things that really matter.
My Father, you are the most important
Person in my life and the highest priority for my
day. Thank you for giving meaning to everything I
do. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery
Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker re vs.
10]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Put your trust in Me so you can discover
My unfailing Love shining on in the midst of
your troubles. When you are struggling with
discouragement, you need to assert your trust in Me over and
over again. It is vital to remember who I am:
Creator and Sustainer of the universe, as well as
your Savior, Lord, and Friend. You can count on
Me because My Love for you is unfailing. It
never runs out or grows dim, and it is not
dependent on how well you're performing. Just as I am
the same yesterday, today, and forever, so is My
perfect Love.
Lift up your soul to Me - waiting in My
Presence with no pretense and no demands. As you
dedicate time to waiting and worshiping, I gradually
transform you and open up the way before you. I will
not necessarily reveal future things to you, but
I will show you the way through this day -
step by step. So trust Me wholeheartedly,
beloved, for I am taking care of you wonderfully
well! (Psa. 143:8; Heb. 1:1, 2; 13:8) [Jesus
Always by Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Psalm 143:8 - Waking Up With God.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20141218-2007.html
Proverbs 8:17 - Seeking And Finding God.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20140729-1847.html
1 John 2:6 - Abiding or Walking with God.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210902-0928.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
