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 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

MY WAYS ARE NOT YOUR WAYS (PSALM 25:1-10)

The Psalmist prayed to God for deliverance from his enemies. He then prayed to  God to teach him His ways, forgive him and instruct him to live a humble and faithful life in his relationship with God. 

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “My ways are not your ways” The theme reveals to us that we are faced with two choices in every situation we find ourselves in. We have the choice of living in a manner that pleases us or living in a manner that pleases God. The theme is simply reminding us that we have a choice to live as we please but God is saying to us that “my ways are not your ways”. 

We recall the rich man in the Gospel of Luke who had a bountiful harvest, he refused to acknowledge God as the source of His sustenance and life, he said  “And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’  So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:19-21).  The man decided to live his own way of life but God made Him understand that His ways are not the man’s ways. Conversely, David who is believed to be the psalmist of Psalm 25, believed that God is his sustainer and source of life therefore when he finds himself in the hands of his enemies, he relies on God and not on his own ways. Many people try to physically fight their enemies or use other spiritual means which is not the way of God to fight their enemies. The Psalmist wrote that “To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.  O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.  Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. (Psalms 25:1-3)

My dear friend, when you are persecuted, the normal response is that out of pain and anger you have the desire for revenge against those who plot your downfall but always remember that God’s ways are not your ways. A child of God must always rely on the ways of God in every situation he or she finds himself or herself. You may be going through persecution at your workplace, in your family or in your community because of your faithfulness to God. Some people around you who may be your friends, family members or co-workers may conspire through every means to destroy your reputation and integrity and in the end, rejoice over your downfall. You may see them or hear them planning evil against you but my dear friend in Christ, “Thus says the LORD to you, Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15) The Psalmist teaches us that as a child of God you must put his or her faith in God and always pray that  “Make me know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.  Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you, I wait all the day long. (Psalms 25:4-5).

 How then can we know His ways? The only way to know His ways is to endlessly and meticulously devote our time to study His Word, listen and obey His Word when it is being preached. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9) We must make prayer part of our lives and continually ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, divine wisdom and discernment to follow the ways of the Lord. This is not magic my dear friend, you need perseverance, patience and faith to learn and grow spiritually and morally. When you attain spiritual maturity which is the end result of the ways of the Lord, you are not moved or perturbed by the action or inactions of your enemies or those who conspire against your life and progress in life, God is surely your insurance and has got you covered! Your focus should always be on your service to God and living a life dedicated to pleasing God all the days of your life.

PRAYER 

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)