The Upper Room devotional reflection for Friday, July 8, 2022 comes to us from Arlene Timber-Henry of St. Maarten
4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good. 8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. 11 For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Psalm 25:4-11 NIV
“Finding Direction”
When I began using a smart-watch fitness tracker I’d received from a friend, I faced two obstacles: figuring out how to charge it and synchronizing the watch with my smart phone so they could share data. Because my friend had misplaced both the original packaging and the instruction manual, I went online hoping to find the answers I needed. To my dismay, nothing on the watch indicated what brand or model it was. It wasn’t until the original owner sent a product description that I realized it was a completely different brand than I had thought. However, once I entered the correct information, the synchronization process was easy.
How often we try to figure things out ourselves, without seeking God’s direction! Somehow, we end up going in a roundabout way, much like the Israelites did in the book of Exodus when they left Egypt. Just as God provided the navigational tools they needed – a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night – God wants to direct the steps of our lives. As we pray, read the Bible, and yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, God will help us find our way out of the mistakes of our past and enable us to look toward the future with confidence and hope.
Friends –
This reflection strikes a chord with me because I have not yet synchronized my smart tracker watch with my smartphone. I do have the packaging and instructions, although at this moment, I am not sure where they are. There are number of people around me who could help me set that up, but I have not asked anyone to help with that project yet. When it comes to more serious matters, I try to remember to let go and focus on God, trusting that the Holy Spirit will direct my actions. Of course, prayer is one way to hear God’s direction. Sometimes, those we trust can offer perspectives from God’s Spirit. When we are struggling with any issue, it is important to be able to seek the help that God puts in our path: the Holy Spirit, a friend, and a particular expert. I invite you to think about challenges in your life for which you could ask for help.
--Pastor bea
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for guiding us on this journey called life, and for the assurance that you will never lead us in the wrong direction. Amen.
--Arlene Timber-Henry
Prayer Focus:
For willingness to ask for help.
Thought for the Day:
I can stay on course when I keep in step with God.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (NIV)