Daily devotion – Check my bearings!
Getting Our Bearings Again
Psalm 119:105 – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Every now and then we need to stop and get our bearings once again. We look back and see where we have made our way to where we find ourselves now. We remember what we have experienced—our failures, our struggles, our fears, and our victories. Then we remind ourselves once again: God has been with us every step of the way.
David declared:
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25)
Now we look ahead. Where am I heading? Has my flight path or compass bearing changed? Do I need to adjust my navigation plan?
The wonderful truth is that God has promised to direct me as I trust and obey Him.
Proverbs 3:5–6 says:
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
God has a destination for my life, but is it different from where I am trying to run? Am I walking with Him, or am I running ahead of Him—or perhaps lagging behind?
The psalmist prayed:
“Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path.” (Psalm 27:11)
Too often we become so busy that we bury our heads in the affairs of life. We continue on without looking up and checking with the Lord, asking Him to guide us and correct our bearings.
I love John chapter 10, where Jesus tells us that He is the Good Shepherd. He calls His sheep by name, leads them, feeds them, and protects them.
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life… neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27–28)
What an incredible promise! There is no power in this world that can take us out of His hands.
As I read His Word and meditate upon it, I settle once again into His peace and find true rest for my soul.
Jesus invites us:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
My life is in His hands, and I am so thankful for that.
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is the greatest blessing we could ever receive. Yet I need to remind myself continually of His goodness and His love for me, because so much in this world—and even my own flesh—seeks to push Him aside until I begin to neglect Him.
The writer to the Hebrews exhorts us:
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)
After getting my bearings once again, reminding myself of God’s love for me and His guidance over my life, I find fresh joy in reading His Word and hearing His voice speak to me personally through every page.
Therefore, I do not fear what lies ahead.
As David confidently declared:
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” (Psalm 23:4)
Ultimately, I know where my journey ends. Like “Pilgrim/Christian” in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, I too will one day arrive at the Celestial City. The Bible calls it Heaven—but I simply call it home.
The apostle Paul wrote:
“For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)
So today I once again offer Him my life (Romans 12:1-3) and ask Him to instruct me. By His grace, I will obediently follow my Good Shepherd—the One who laid down His life for me to reveal the greatness of His love.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
Enjoy your walk with God. Enjoy your relationship with Jesus Christ your Lord. And let us gather together once again this Wednesday and Sunday to worship Him—the one true and living God.
“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” (Psalm 95:6)