March 9 – Bringing us out of the fog

I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel.  (Psalm 32:8 HCSB)

Isn't that what we all wish would happen every day? Wake up in the morning with the light of God shining on us, with His hand outstretched ready to lead us perfectly in the paths where we should go. No decision is unclear, no plan is uncertain because we have God Himself showing us every step. It sounds like a fantasy, but it really is true. He does exactly that and we all can sense His prodding if we take the time to listen. If ' honest we’d admit that we don't really want to be led every day because what we know He wants is usually what we don't want to do.

For those who use GPS, you can get a faint picture of how God must feel, speaking and calling out, pointing the way we should go as we mindlessly wander into territory that we prefer much more. We ignore the directions, and even turn down the volume to avoid the irritation of knowing that we're heading the wrong way. But somewhere along the line we get really lost, really stuck, and really scared. And then the crying out happens, “Where are you God? Why are you so far away?” Well… maybe it’s because we tuned Him out that makes it feel like He’s far. In actuality, He’s right there and ready to recalculate our lost and sorry state to get us back on track and close to Him. 

When you find that you've drifted and disengaged from His voice, it can feel like a fog has come over you. You may try to pray and feel nothing, try to read the Bible and feel confused. At that moment it’s easy to assume that He really has left you or is angry with you because you had disobeyed. But it’s just the fog of all the worldly and selfish attitudes that you welcomed into your heart and mind for who knows how long. Cling to the promise that His eye is on you and He is speaking. Only you can rebuke that fog and re-attune your spiritual ears to start hearing Him again. That will never happen if you give up trying. 

Challenge yourself to listen as closely as possible throughout your day. No matter how unpleasant His directions may seem to be, just follow them and discover the joys and pleasures that come from obedience. It’s not worth the agony of getting stuck and lost.  King David wrote this hundreds of years before Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit is our counselor who “will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” (John 14:26)  No one has the excuse to say that God is distant or doesn't care about the details of our lives.  Listen carefully, do what you know He asks, obey even when it feels uncomfortable and you will find that perfect and safe path by His side.