The hidden path

There are times when we come to the edge of uncertainty, and we don't know which way to turn. Picture the Israelites standing on the shores of the Red Sea. The pounding waves are throwing salty spray into their faces, while the blood-curdling screams of the Egyptians are getting closer and closer. Trapped in no man's land, they have only one hope - God. 

They look to Moses and in a moment of Divine Mystery, God opens a hidden path for them. Moses holds the staff high and a road they never knew existed, appears before them. They still need courage to walk on this path, but they step out in faith.

Psalm 77:19 - Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there!

Prayer thought: Consider your present obstacles - trust that God will lead you through these trials on hidden paths of grace.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A bold and honest prayer

In preparing for the season of Advent we take a look at numerous scriptures. One of these is from the Psalms and I just love the boldness of David's prayer. It is a sure sign that he trusted in the goodness of his God, despite his own shortcomings. David knew that God's love and faithfulness did not depend on his (David's) ability to be good or perfect. 

"Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old." - Psalm 25:4-6

I urge us all to carve out some time in the busyness of Advent - we will be better off for asking the Lord to show us his ways; to seek his mercy and to know his steadfast love.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Word for the month .... and maybe the whole year!

I stumbled across this profound Scripture during the week, and I think that this will be my 'Word' for the rest of January, and maybe even for the rest of 2024. I share it with you and pray that it may also encourage you:

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” – Isaiah 42:16

It spoke to me in a number of ways:

1. It reminded me that God will lead me, even along unfamiliar paths. There will be plenty of those during this year, I am sure of it!

2. Christ will shine a light on the path and will help me to walk on the uneven paths. The rocky trails will seem a lot smoother, if I learn to walk with Jesus.

3. Jesus will not forsake me. 

May you have a blessed week.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Heading to a dead end

It is not hard for us to picture driving down a 'dead end' is it? We know that by going down that particular road we won't get where we need to be. In today's reading the wise teachings of Solomon tells us that if stumble down wrong roads, we will end up at a dead end. An undisciplined life will end up 'killing us' - even if this is just metaphorically speaking.

"Mark well that God doesn’t miss a move you make;
    he’s aware of every step you take.
The shadow of your sin will overtake you;
    you’ll find yourself stumbling all over yourself in the dark.
Death is the reward of an undisciplined life;
    your foolish decisions trap you in a dead end." - Proverbs 5:21-23 (The Message)

What does that phrase 'undisciplined life' mean for you today? 
What are you able to do during these days of lockdown that can help you practise spiritual disciplines?
Where are we heading in our spiritual lives?

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?'
'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.
'I don't much care where -' said Alice.
'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.
'- so long as I get SOMEWHERE,' Alice added as an explanation.
'Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the Cat, 'if you only walk long enough.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland 

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Ancient Wisdom

 

¹⁶ This is what the Lord says:

“Stand at the crossroads and look;
    ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
    and you will find rest for your souls.
    But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
¹⁷ I appointed watchmen over you and said,
    ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
    But you said, ‘We will not listen.’ - Jeremiah 6:16-17

God invites us to stand at the threshold (crossroad) of a new year and to look out into the next 12 months. In order for us to navigate our way through the maze and muck of the future, we should ask for the paths that are well worn - the ancient paths that have carried the Faithful through their own lives. 

When we are given the 'good way', then we need to walk in that way, trusting in the Lord to be with us. Sadly, the people of Jeremiah's time chose not to walk in God's ways - they chose their own paths and in the end they forfeited the peace and rest they desperately wanted.

Let us listen to the words of God today!
We can still ask for the ancient paths and then we need to walk in those words of wisdom.

Living in Grace
D3LM3