“I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord’
‘I have no good apart from you.’”
Psalm 16:2

So, last night, like every night, I was faced with a choice. Do I read my bible for a bit and let it bless me with sleep, or do I check out what’s happening on Facebook? You guessed it. I opted to watch some guy with a Russian accent eat WWII C-ration cookies and other stupid stuff. Instead of lulling me to sleep, my phone stimulated my mind on nonsense. I suppose I didn’t sin in what I watched, but I certainly had to scroll over things Facebook thinks I need to see. All the while my bible was within reach. Don’t get me wrong, I have lots of friends that are posting very positive and God-honoring things. It’s just, well, you know.

I’ve been in a sweet spot with Jesus for a month now. I think you know what I mean – when you really connect with God and stay connected. I need to be mindful of these times, lest I get content and find myself straying. Last night was a perfect example. Did I gain ANYTHING by choosing Facebook over my bible? Nope. I could easily check in on my family and friends in just a few minutes and spend the rest of the time reading the words of my Lord.

It’s things like this that I need to be not only aware of but looking out for. I’m aware of my own heart and the schemes of the devil. I’m prone to wander (Ps. 119:10) and the devil is close at hand (1 Peter 5:8), so I really must be careful. Yet, I need not live in fear of what might happen. Instead, I think it would be far better to keep my eyes on the Lord rather than one eye on the evil one. I guess if I need a reminder of the dangers of wandering, it would be better to witness that in OTHER people and keep tight with Jesus.

This takes intentionality. I must keep my guard up and do the things I need to do, like communicating with God and mining the bible’s resources, like talking about Jesus with all sorts of people and honoring God with my gifts. Granted, all this can become routine and lose its meaning, so I even need to be mindful of that.

Yes, it’s true that one can go through the motions and experience very little of the blessing. I suppose some might call that a time when God is silent. I’m not so sure I buy that. I think my mind can be far from the Lord even though I’m doing “his work.” Now, this is a matter of degrees, of course. I can temporarily lose the blessings I enjoy while I’m actively practicing my sin. I can also lose it while my mind is simply elsewhere.

Psalm 16 has been my inspiration this morning. Let me share it with you.

Psalm 16

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge, I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out, or take their names on my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

What’s cool about this Psalm is that it contains a prophecy of our Lord’s resurrection and, thus, my eternal life as well.

Father, thank you for your reminders and encouragement. Keep me close at hand and don’t let me wander. As you know, I’m prone. Amen.

Copyright © 2019 Scott Powers