I love these scriptures. To those who are “full of age.” I like that term better than “old.” Don’t you? Full of age. Mature, experienced in the things of life. We have made enough mistakes and wrong turns that we are prepared for the “stronger meat of life.” We have prepared ourselves for really difficult times, difficult decisions and see evil coming from a mile away. And then, Isaiah tells us we will hear a voice behind us…this is the way, walk in it. I am not quite there yet, but I am closing in. How about you?
How is that measure of maturity and experience attained? By reason of use. Use of what?
Our sense of good and evil. When I was young, I jumped into things with both feet! No discernment. Just jump! Think later! Have fun! Then comes that day that we jump….
Our heart breaks. Our trust disappears, placed in a falsehood. It or they looked like they meant good and not harm to us. We heard the perfect words. We fell into the net. It is then we see the wolves in sheep’s clothing. It is the beginning of discernment for a life that once did not question motives behind words and behavior.
~Thought For Today~
God has given us the tools. Our part is to use them. We are to look, pray, ponder and listen before we jump into any relationship. Especially covenant relationships. Choosing our mate for life. A friend to be trusted with our heart. A business venture. A job. A purchase that will challenge us financially. The offer to help. Will it be squandered? Will my decisions lift or harm? Will my decision honor God? Will good come of it or will my decision result in more evil than good? The greatest covenant relationship is the one we enter, to follow Jesus and not the world.
The phrase, “use it, or lose it,” can really apply here. If we don’t pray, if we don’t learn from our experiences, then we forget the results and continue to repeat mistakes over and over again. We become stale in the tools of wisdom, understanding, discernment and caution that God has given us. There is a voice that directs the believer in the way to walk. It will direct us away from harm, but we must listen for it and then obey.
~Scripture For Today~
Hebrews 5:14
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (KJV)
Isaiah 30:21
14 Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! We pray that we lean on Your Holy Spirit that dwells within us. That still, quiet voice that says walk here…walk this way. Thank You for giving us discernment, wisdom and understanding about spiritual and physical matters of this world. Give us the ability to decipher the truth from the lies that the world offers us. Increase our desire to find You in our quiet time, today. Reveal what we cannot see, that clouds our judgement. Give us strength to let go of what does not honor You. We pray each step and decision today is made following Your direction, not the world’s. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.