A youth ministry initiative by RBC Ministries
where you can find devotionals and resources for youth.
A youth ministry initiative by RBC Ministries
where you can find devotionals and resources for youth.
July 29, 2009
He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along (v.2).
READ: Psalm 40:1-8
My thoughts were miles away, when suddenly a bump in the road shook my car. As I bounced through the intersection, it occurred to me that I had missed seeing the road construction signs. And, veiled by the early morning darkness, the unevenness of the pavement had remained hidden from view. (Due to its use as a major thoroughfare, the offending street is in a perpetual state of repair.) A few days later, however, as I drove down the same road at a different location, the smoothness of the newly paved lane caused my tires to gently hum. The difference was palpable.
Isaiah 26:7 declares, “For those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and You smooth out the path ahead of them.” The way of the Lord is always right, and He is faithful to smooth the path before us. But, much like road construction, sometimes God’s timing and methods differ from our expectations. Limited by our finite vision, we struggle to understand what He’s doing when we try to speed over the places that are still in process. Sometimes the jolt causes pain. Confused and attempting to peer into the darkness, we try to regain our bearings.
In this place of uncertainty, trust becomes essential (Psalm 40:3-4). We long for God’s peace and rest—to see the end-result of what He is accomplishing. But we easily forget that dark valleys will come up along the way (Psalm 23:4). Without trust, we will experience a weak faith. Without faith, we will continue to falter in self-effort (Hebrews 11:6).
In these places we discover, as David did, that to “wait patiently” is to find deliverance (Psalm 40:1). Whether the mire comes from our choices or the choices of others, only He can save us. Steady feet on solid ground isn’t about what we see, but who is the One we look to. —Regina Franklin
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
Filed under Devotional, Our Daily Journey and tagged with Christian Living, daily devotional, Discouragement, Doubt, Faith, fellowship with God, God, God's guidance, God's plan, God's Will, Prayer, Trust.
