The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "MORE THAN AN OPTION" for Monday, 30 May 2016 with Scripture Proverbs 3:1-8

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "MORE THAN AN OPTION" for Monday, 30 May 2016 with Scripture Proverbs 3:1 My son, don’t forget my teaching,
keep my commands in your heart;
2 for they will add to you many days,
years of life and peace.
3 Do not let grace and truth leave you —
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and esteem
in the sight of God and of people.
5 Trust in Adonai with all your heart;
do not rely on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him;
then he will level your paths.
7 Don’t be conceited about your own wisdom;
but fear Adonai, and turn from evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and give strength to your bones.
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In all your ways acknowledge [the Lord], and he will make straight your paths.[Proverbs 3:6 (NRSV)]
I was walking my dog in our neighborhood on a beautiful spring evening. Along the way, I observed a grandfather who was on an outing with his two small granddaughters. When they neared the road, the grandfather told his younger granddaughter, who had run ahead, “Don’t cross the street until I can get there to watch for cars!” The little girl proceeded to cross the street without looking right or left. No cars were coming, so she was safe; the grandfather smiled at me ruefully and said, “I guess every direction I give her is an option.”
It occurred to me that we often treat God’s word in the same way. Rather than listening to and living in God’s word, we charge ahead, confident that we can make it on our own. When we run into difficulties, we realize that we need scripture to help us cope with the dangers and pitfalls of life. Fortunately for us, God loves us, forgives our lapses, and cares for us, even when we forget and treat God’s word as optional.
The Author: Jayne E. Parker (Florida, USA)
Thought for the Day: Scripture helps us navigate daily life.
Prayer: Dear Lord, remind us to study your word and to walk in your ways throughout our lives. Amen.
Prayer focus: GRANDPARENTS AND GRANDCHILDREN

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