DECEMBER 11, 2015
Paradogs
Read:
Psalm
143:7-12
In
You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk.— Psalm 143:8
I am amazed by the story of the World War II paradogs. In
preparing for D-Day (June 6, 1944), the Allied troops needed the sharp senses
of dogs to sniff their way through minefields and to warn troops of approaching
danger. And the only way to get these dogs to troops behind enemy lines was by
parachute. But dogs are instinctively afraid of doing this—and let’s be honest,
they are not alone. Yet after weeks of training, the dogs learned to trust
their masters enough to jump at their command.
I wonder if any of us trust our Master enough to do challenging
things we would never instinctively do or things that might make us fearful. We
may not be instinctively generous or forgiving or patient with those who annoy
us. Yet Jesus commands us to trust Him enough to do things that may be
difficult but that will advance His kingdom. To say, “In You do I trust; cause
me to know the way in which I should walk” (Ps. 143:8 nkjv).
Paradogs often received medals for their bravery. I believe we
too will someday hear “well done” because we have trusted our Master enough to
jump when He said, “Go!”
Is God
asking you to do something that you are afraid to do? Will you trust Him to
lead you and walk with you?
Trust Jesus to show you how you can
be used by Him.
INSIGHT:
Psalm 143 is the last of seven penitential
psalms (Pss. 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130) that express deep sorrow over sin. The
authors affirm that as forgiven people they have come into God’s presence
because of His mercy. Today’s psalm is a prayer for deliverance, protection,
and guidance. David, pursued and in grave danger from a powerful enemy (vv.
3-4), desperately cried out to the Lord (v. 7). He likely wrote this psalm when
fleeing from the murderous Saul. He prayed for God’s mercy (v. 1), rescue (v.
9), guidance (v. 10), preservation (v. 11), and deliverance (v. 12). His prayer
is not based on his own merits (v. 2) but on trust in God’s mercy,
faithfulness, righteousness, and unfailing love.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2015