The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Saturday, 1 February 2014 -” Walking with God” Read Psalm 16

The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Saturday, 1 February 2014 -” Walking with God” Read Psalm 16: Song of Trust and Security in God

A Miktam of David.

1 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

    I have no good apart from you.”[a]

3 As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,

    in whom is all my delight.

4 Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;[b]

    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out

    or take their names upon my lips.

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

    you hold my lot.

6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

    I have a goodly heritage.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

    in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I keep the Lord always before me;

    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;

    my body also rests secure.

10 For you do not give me up to Sheol,

    or let your faithful one see the Pit.

11 You show me the path of life.

    In your presence there is fullness of joy;

    in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 16:2 Jerome Tg: Meaning of Heb uncertain

b. Psalm 16:4 Cn: Meaning of Heb uncertain

The psalmist wrote, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. . . . You make known to me the path of life.”--Psalm 16:8, 11 (NIV)

I was taking our new puppy for a walk. He strained on the lead and pulled ahead. Then he stopped behind me, sniffing an interesting smell. A little further down the path, I let him off the lead and he ran off and frightened someone coming from the other way. How much easier this would be, I thought, if he would just walk beside me. Sometimes in my walk with God I am way too much like my dog — racing ahead, lagging behind, being distracted by this good thing and that, making unwise choices. How much better it would be to walk side by side with God! That way I can be encouraged by God’s presence and guided and enthused by God’s purpose for me, instead of by my own plans. My dog is now older, and walking him is a pleasure as he stays beside me and follows my lead. Hopefully I am also learning to obediently stay close to God, trusting God to instruct and guide me.-The Author-Ann Stewart (South Australia, Australia)

Thought for the Day: Go to devotional.upperroom.org/blog to see a picture of Ann’s puppy, Gordy.

Prayer: Dear God of all wisdom, help us to follow where you lead. Amen.

Prayer focus: To have a closer walk with God

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