Psalm 32:6-11
Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress,
the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me
with glad cries of deliverance.
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye
upon you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed
with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.
Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust
in the LORD.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Reflection:
God protects us and guides us, but we are often stubborn like a mule and do not listen. I am reminded of the cartoon which shows the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. In my younger days, I recall asking my aunt who was a devout Christian, “How will I know if it is God guiding me or Satan?” She explained to me that was why reading the Bible daily was so important. She reassured me that by studying the Bible regularly I would learn God’s will. As I grew older, I realized that learning God’s will was the easy part. The difficulty is following God’s will instead of my own. These verses in Psalms align with my favorite Bible verse; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Prayer:
Lord, please help us to follow your guidance instead of our own will.

– Sandy Thompson