DEVOTION

Psalm 32

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you and watch over you.

9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,

which have no understanding

but must be controlled by bit and bridle

or they will not come to you.

10 Many are the woes of the wicked,

but the LORD's unfailing love

surrounds the man who trusts in him.

11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;

sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Meaning of INSTRUCT:

- verb (used with object)
1. to furnish with knowledge, esp. by a systematic method; teach; train; educate.
2. to furnish with orders or directions; direct; order; command: The doctor instructed me to diet.
3. to furnish with information; inform; apprise.
4. Law. (of a judge) to guide (a jury) by outlining the legal principles involved in the case under consideration.


I will just talk on point 1 and 2.
First meaning is to furnish with knowledge in a systematic method. The Lord will show us the way by methods of allowing us to comprehend certain knowledge and not just in anyhow way but in a way that is organised and natural to our comprehension.

Second meaning is to furnish with orders or directions or command. Orders and commands implied a very strong demand for the receipient to simply follow the instructions, nevermind, if it does not makes human sense or it does not follow the way of our doings. Sometimes, we need to abandon our understanding, our ways of doings and our know-how. God is not restricted by our limitations. God is above all things and His ways of doing may not always be comprehensive to us. If God can be fully know, really there is not much to awe about Him. But we know that He has and know the best way. Can we simply trust in His ways especially those that we can not understand or make sense?
Horses and mules are manoueverd by the bit and bridle. In our lives, are we also controlled by such bit and bridle? Career, Money, Power, Love, Materials. These things are not evil in itself but when it becomes the bit and bridle of our lives, controlling our left and right turn, we are no bette than those horses and mules. We becomes slaves.

The ways of the evil are plentiful but we know the love of our Jesus stands victorious. When surrounded with the hot lava of evil, do we simply forget that we are standing on a High Rock? Do we succumb to paying evil of evil or compromising because everyone is also doing? We need to stand firm. We need to know the right way. We need to listen to His instructions and His teachings.

His promise that His unfailing love will surround us. How much more can we ask for? What can we do but rejoice for our God is good and righteous.