Windshield Wipers

Judges 6:37

It rained today, which doesn't happen much where I live in Tucson, AZ. As the rain fell I flipped on my wipers so I could better see where I was going. I got to thinking how much life is like that; sometimes where we're going just doesn't seem to be really clear and we need some assistance. I've spent a lot of time pondering where I'm at in this journey of faith over the last few years and wonder where I'm heading. There are times a sign or revelation from God would be nice because things seem to be smeary like worn out wiper blades. Times come when we look high and low, right and left, and just don't see the way. Take heart and know you're not alone, this predicament isn't uncommon for us as Christians to be in especially if our desire really is to follow God's plan for our life. Even Gideon wanted to be really sure he was doing God's will by asking the Lord for a sign, not one, but two, just to be certain! We find that story in Judges 6:36-40:

36 Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised- 37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said." 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew." 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew. (Taken from the NIV c.1984)

I've never tried something like Gideon did before but there isn't a reason not to pray and ask God to show us the way. Don't be discouraged if God doesn't respond as quick as you'd like either. If we keep seeking after the Lord we will find our direction. Today, whether your life is smooth sailing or a shipwreck take time to think about your life - where you've come from and where you're headed and ask the Lord to direct your steps, so that you are going straight on the road he has for you. Also, take the time to check your wiper blades because you know not when the rain will come.

An appropriate song to listen to with this devotion is "Revelation" by Third Day

A Lamp

Psalm 119:105
The word lamp is mentioned over 20 times in the Bible, being used as a symbol for many things. The verse I chose likely came to mind first because it is the chorus to the popular praise song, "Thy Word" by Amy Grant, which I have known for a long time. Most of us have probably heard the song or even sung it in church, so this verse should be pretty easy to remember every time you see a lamp. The verse is quite simple, yet powerful, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105 KJV)." Most of us have experienced a power outage at some point in our lives, and in that moment you realize how dependent we are on electricity. Our ability to function and do the things we normally do are greatly reduced without power. Yet think of how difficult our spiritual walk would become without the aid of the Bible. Just like a power failure. Our journey would be much more challenging without God's Word to give us direction, just as our lives become more difficult when the lights are out. Thankfully the Bible has survived and been preserved through many dark times in history; times when books were destroyed, Christians persecuted, and leaders of the church killed. Yet no one was succesful at ridding the world of it. Those determined to destroy it obviously hadn't read it, or they'd have come across the part that says God always wins, and good will triumph over evil. Unfortunately, for us today it's all too easy to take the Bible for granted. Most of us have more than one copy in our house and we have churches full of them. Don't let your Bible collect dust; read it, study it, meditate on it, it should be your guide for all that you do. All the answers to life's most important questions, solutions to your struggles, and a heaping dose of hope and grace are in there. It contains everything you need to keep your light shinning brightly and your path illuminated. So, next time the power goes out, why don't you fire up a battery powered light and curl up with your Bible; it won't be long before the darkness retreats to marvelous light.