One learns its way and its life, and moves with care, and never ceases to be wary, for the desert has traps and tricks for the careless.”
–Louis L’Amour (Hondo)
“For among My people are found wicked men; they lie in wait as one who sets snares; they set a trap; they catch men.”
–Jeremiah 5:26 (NKJV)
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I believe the words of F.B. Meyer gives us a hint of how to walk this journey of life. He writes, “It is marvelous how the feet are kept from snares and pitfalls, when the eyes, instead of being fixed upon the ground, are lifted upwards to the throne.” When we’re constantly gazing down and lose focus on the Lord is when the enemy can more easily set his traps for us. This morning we finish Psalm 141.
6 — Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff, and they hear my words, for they are sweet.
7 — Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, as when one plows and breaks up the earth.
8 — But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute.
9 — Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the traps of the workers of iniquity.
10 — Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape safely. (NKJV)
With all the racket stirred up by today’s media it is easy to become fretful and perplexed. We begin to fix our eyes on all that is going on around us instead of focusing on the truth of God’s Word and looking to Him. We tend to become absorbed in our difficulties or begin to moan the “woe-is-me’s”, when our eyes should be fixed on the Lord. In the midst of crooked judges and leaders we can walk determinedly to our goal. God will not abandon us to the wicked or to the evil one.
Difficulty will come, that is certain. It may hit you in various ways and means, but we must not take our eyes off the Lord. In fact, the Lord seldom removes a difficulty, an obstacle, or a mountain, rather He takes us through them, over them; and if He does remove them, well, that is called a miracle. Yes, there are snares waiting out there, we must be on the alert–constantly. We must never waver, but walk each step with forethought and steadfastness. As we travel we must not forget that the Holy Spirit is our guide.
In closing this morning, I pass along the words of George O. Wood, “You must avoid the mistake of glancing only occasionally at God during the time you are wounded. You can’t afford to go a single day without integrating His Word into your life, or conversing with Him in prayer.”
“Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name.
But His love abides forever
Through eternal years the same.”
–Fanny J. Crosby
——————————-
I believe the words of F.B. Meyer gives us a hint of how to walk this journey of life. He writes, “It is marvelous how the feet are kept from snares and pitfalls, when the eyes, instead of being fixed upon the ground, are lifted upwards to the throne.” When we’re constantly gazing down and lose focus on the Lord is when the enemy can more easily set his traps for us. This morning we finish Psalm 141.
6 — Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff, and they hear my words, for they are sweet.
7 — Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, as when one plows and breaks up the earth.
8 — But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute.
9 — Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the traps of the workers of iniquity.
10 — Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape safely. (NKJV)
With all the racket stirred up by today’s media it is easy to become fretful and perplexed. We begin to fix our eyes on all that is going on around us instead of focusing on the truth of God’s Word and looking to Him. We tend to become absorbed in our difficulties or begin to moan the “woe-is-me’s”, when our eyes should be fixed on the Lord. In the midst of crooked judges and leaders we can walk determinedly to our goal. God will not abandon us to the wicked or to the evil one.
Difficulty will come, that is certain. It may hit you in various ways and means, but we must not take our eyes off the Lord. In fact, the Lord seldom removes a difficulty, an obstacle, or a mountain, rather He takes us through them, over them; and if He does remove them, well, that is called a miracle. Yes, there are snares waiting out there, we must be on the alert–constantly. We must never waver, but walk each step with forethought and steadfastness. As we travel we must not forget that the Holy Spirit is our guide.
In closing this morning, I pass along the words of George O. Wood, “You must avoid the mistake of glancing only occasionally at God during the time you are wounded. You can’t afford to go a single day without integrating His Word into your life, or conversing with Him in prayer.”
“Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name.
But His love abides forever
Through eternal years the same.”
–Fanny J. Crosby