“How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert! Again and again they tempted God, and pained the Holy One of Israel.” (Psalm 78:40-41)

The battle of this age is against the One who created all things. We take for granted that what is before us is ours and do not really want to know the answer as to why it is there. We dismiss what we do not want to hear and in so doing, rebel against the Lord, for it is He who made all things. We are His whether we want to acknowledge this or not. What does He desire? Is it not love?

Lord, I too live the life I want and think things the way I want to think them. I do not want to pursue what is true and lovely, only what I want to be true and what I determine to be lovely. Guide me, O Lord, away from a rebellious heart, most especially when I do not think it rebellious, that I may see things as they are and not as I want them to be. Guide me in the way of truth.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You have come for as many as would turn to You that the good life may be found. I think I have life, but it is life that has me, not the life You give. Lead me into the life which is eternal that I may walk with You wherever You lead and come into the truth,  for only in the truth can I live freely. Guide me today, O Lord, in the way You know I need to go. Amen.

“Let death come deceitfully upon them; let them go down alive to Sheol, for evil is in their dwelling, in their midst.  As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me.”  (Psalm 55:15-16)

The contrast has always been before you.  There is the way of the Lord and there is the way of wickedness.  Do not walk in the ways of this world, but hear and heed the call of the Lord to be transformed by the renewing of Your mind.  Walk humbly before Your God and know the ways He established in the beginning.  Call upon the Lord and He will save You from all the evil of this world.

Lord, I know it is appointed to walk in this world for a time, but the wickedness is often so overwhelming.  Lead me to You to look to You through all that swirls around me that I may not be tempted to walk in any other way than the one You have established in salvation.  Lead me O Lord and help me to trust You for all things, dealing with the wicked and saving those who turn to You.

Lord Jesus, in times of trouble I call out to You.  Help me come to You in all times and places, both good and bad and all the times in between.  Lead me heart to learn from You how to deal with the craziness of this world and hold forever fast to the truth You have revealed.  Lead me O Lord and will follow You all the days of my life.  Grant me grace and strength of Your Spirit to fulfill this vow.  Amen.