Living in the Spirit
June 6, 2018

Scripture Reading: Psalm 138

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
   you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
   and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
   your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
   Do not forsake the work of your hands.
–Psalm 138:7-8

Do I have enemies? Who are my enemies? I encountered in my life a few folks who at the least wanted to shut me down in attaining my life’s aspirations that I saw as my calling in Christ. One or two succeeded in sidetracking me making me reevaluate my call and reassess my trajectory. That said, most of my enemies are from within. I identify with Gideon*. He was a farmer’s son when the Israelites were being overtaken by neighboring tribes. The angel of the Lord visited him and essentially assigned him to lead the people against their enemies. Gideon to say the least, thought God had the wrong person. He asked for a sign and got one. Still wavering he asked for a second sign and got that too. He eventually led the Israelites out of their situation.

I like to think I am not very different from most folks who struggle with self-doubt. Reading the finality of the statement The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; from the scripture above gives me pause. God wants us to succeed in what he equipped us to do at our creation. The Psalmist, like Gideon, eventually accedes to the will of God and prays that God not forsakes the works of God’s hands. We are the work of God’s hands. Nothing we ever do in answering God’s call to serve is done without God’s help.

Prayer: Creator God, do not forsake the work of your hands as you give me the courage to answer your call to serve. Amen.

*Judges 6

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

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