Trust in the Lord’ s Guidance
Proverbs 3:5-6
Thursday, February 22nd
If you have flown more than a few times, chances are you have had to land in the middle of a rainstorm or some thick fog. As a pilot, that must be a bit stressful. As they descend, getting closer and closer to the ground, they must simply trust their instruments to guide them safely to the runway. They use special instruments like a radar altimeter that determines the height of the plane above the earth and a localizer signal that guides them to a correct lateral position. The flight systems they use are so accurate that it is possible for a plane to land safely with zero visibility. However, as you can imagine, it is sometimes difficult for pilots to surrender their own judgment to the instruments, especially when it seems to go against what they think is best.
It isn ' t just pilots that have to do that. God directs us to trust in him and his word, even when it seems to go against what we might think is best. This can be very difficult for us as we fly through the fog and storms of this life. For example, human wisdom says that if people have wronged you, you should show them that you are not going to take it lying down. You even have the right to make them feel the same pain you have felt. It also says that if your spouse is not meeting your emotional or physical needs, it might be best to find another person to fulfill your desires. And if you got yourself into a difficult situation, you should do whatever it takes, no matter what God’ s word says, to get yourself out.
God’ s word, however, says to“ lean not on your own understanding.” In other words, give up control of your own ideas of what is right and good. The LORD, the maker of heaven and earth, the one who sent his own Son to die for the sins of the world, is there for you. He is faithful and true. Even as you pass through the uncertainties and difficulties of this life, he promises to be with you and work everything for your good. Sometimes it might not be easy to see. But your God is more trustworthy than the instruments in a modern airplane. Trust in him. Follow his ways, and see how he blesses you right now as you look forward to spending eternity with him in heaven.
Prayer: Dear Lord, it is not always easy to trust in you. Focus my attention on your Word through which the Holy Spirit strengthens my faith, so that I rely on you and not on my own understanding. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Activity: Blindfold one member of your family and have another person try to guide them from one end of the house or room to the other using only their words. What was difficult about the activity? How did the one who was blindfolded demonstrate trust? How does this apply to what we heard today?
Devotion adapted from the WELS Daily Devotion, June 13, 2014. 12