Daily Devotion – July 21, 2020 – The Rev. Barry Neese

Psalm 119:129-136 (NRSV)

Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name.

Keep my steps steady according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me.

Redeem me from human oppression, that I may keep your precepts.

Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.

My eyes shed streams of tears because your law is not kept.

Devotion

I purchased my first GPS navigation system for a solo trip from Minnesota to Dallas, Texas. My spouse had flown there ahead of me to attend a two-week continuing education event, and I knew that without GPS, finding my way to her hotel would be an effort in futility. The GPS did its job, guiding me through traffic, construction, detours, and finally to my intended destination.

The psalmist delights in God’s law, which, like a GPS, accompanies, guides, directs, and keeps our way steady with a sense of God’s presence and guidance. In Jesus, the Word of God has become flesh and dwells among us, “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). As gift and welcome companion, Jesus steadies our way through all the traffic of our daily lives—whether detours of fear, present confusion, or an unknown future. Where will you find God’s GPS a welcome companion for you today?

Prayer

Spirit of Jesus, steady our steps enabling us to trust in God’s word, without which we would lose our way. Amen.