HOW ARE YOU PREPARING FOR EACH DAY'S TRIP THROUGH LIFE?

January 6, 2017

HOW ARE YOU PREPARING FOR EACH DAY'S TRIP THROUGH LIFE?

Psalm 5

Ronnie Oldfield

Central Truth

Humans throughout history have created navigation tools. In my lifetime I have used printed road maps, computer maps, and a GPS device that fits in my hand. But the unchanging navigation tools are the stars in the sky and the Word of God. Be prepared for disaster. Psalm 5 shows us how.

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.
(Psalm 5:8)

Lead Me in Your Righteousness

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD;
    consider my groaning.
2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,
    my King and my God,
    for to you do I pray.
3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
    in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you^{1

5:3
Or I direct my prayer to you} and watch.

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
    evil may not dwell with you.
5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
    you hate all evildoers.
6 You destroy those who speak lies;
    the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
    will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
    in the fear of you.
8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies;
    make your way straight before me.

9 For there is no truth in their mouth;
    their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
    they flatter with their tongue.
10 Make them bear their guilt, O God;
    let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
    for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may exult in you.
12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD;
    you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Footnotes

[1] 5:3 Or I direct my prayer to you

Each time I leave home, I plan the trip. Whether I am going around the corner to a store, making the morning school drop-off run, commuting to work, or heading out on an extended road trip, I take steps necessary to ensure the trip’s goals are achieved. My vehicle has been prepared for the trip’s rigors, I have eaten a nutritious breakfast to prepare my body for physical challenges, and I have loaded the necessary tools and equipment. And yes, I ask the passengers if they have gone to the restroom before departing!

Trips I took while separated from God were prepared for as the world says I should prepare. My “road to Damascus” moment occurred while returning from Houston on December 26, 2003. I was convicted that my game plan for life was failing miserably. I cried to Jesus for Him to take the wheel!

I am thankful that God has sent many men to disciple me the past 13 years. Deciding to drive to Watermark in mid-August 2014 was a game-changing decision. I now understand how Psalm 5 provides a recipe for a heart-healthy spiritual breakfast to prepare me for daily challenges to my soul.

The psalmist starts with the equivalent of NASCAR’s “drivers, start your engines.” I now regularly and boldly declare to God that I want Him to listen to me each day. I know God will respond to my groaning. (See Judges 3:9, 13:8-9, and 16:28-30 for proof of God’s faithfulness.)

I am still tempted by the wickedness, boasting, lying, destruction, and guilt that is the “roadside scenery” everywhere I travel (more at Galatians 5:19-21). But the key verse of Psalm 5:8 is right in the middle of the scenery, if I am tuning my GPS to the creator of the universe. If I cast my net on the right side of the car, a catch always awaits me (John 21:6).

I pray all Journeyers are now properly informed and will choose to keep their hearts focused on trip preparations that are eternally important. By the way, turn your lights on now while you can (John 12:35-36).

1. How does your preparation for the day look compared to Psalm 5? You are reading The Journey–thank you. You may get "a catch" if you share with the person sitting or standing near you right now what God is doing in your life through your diligence with The Journey.

2. When you pray, do you believe you are being heard by God? Do you want to be heard by God? If you are having difficulties with these questions, consider exploring your relationship with Jesus, for He tells us truth in Matthew 21:22.

3. Have you prepared your vehicle for these daily trips by making certain the in-vehicle entertainment is pleasing to God (my favorite is 101.7 Air 1)? If not, are you willing to switch to entertainment pleasing to God for a week to see how your spiritual journey might be affected?