JULY 11, 2013
The
Winding Road
Read: Psalm
121
He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not
slumber. —Psalm
121:3
In
his book A Sweet and Bitter Providence, John Piper offers these thoughts
about God’s
providence and guidance: “Life is not a straight line leading from
one blessing
to the next and then finally to heaven. Life is a winding and troubled
road. .
. . God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is
plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for
our
good and for the glory of Jesus Christ.”
The
Jews journeying to Jerusalem for the annual feasts (Deut. 16:16) had the
assurance of knowing that the Lord was plotting their course and managing the
winding and troubled roads for them. They expressed this assurance in Psalm
121,
a pilgrim song. The question, “From whence comes my help?” did not express
doubt
but affirmation in the Lord who rules supreme (vv.1-2). Unlike a guard
who
sometimes slumbered, or the god Baal who needed to be rustled out of his
stupor
(1 Kings 18:27), the Lord was fully alert and secured the journey
of His people with
providential care (vv.3-4). The Lord, who rescued Israel,
would continue to help,
preserve, and walk with His people.
Life
is a winding road with unknown perils and troubles, but we can be certain of
God’s providence, security, and care.
Dear Lord, sometimes life seems to be full of
perilous and winding roads. Thank You for giving
us the assurance that You have our course plotted
and are watching over our every step.
Troubles are unknown; God’s providence is certain.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
