daily devo: "THIS IS GOD’S DAY"
Rev. Reuben K. Youngdahl, grandfather to Eric Youngdahl and Senior Pastor of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church from 1938-1968, was widely known and respected for his pastoral leadership and his uplifting messages of God's love. These messages were published into devotional books so that people might find hope in the promises found in Jesus Christ.
One of his many books was titled, "Going God’s Way.” Pastor Youngdahl issues the challenge for people to go ahead and live today in the faithfulness of God. In his words: “Live each day by itself. Begin and end each one in communion with God. Life’s meaning will be made clear, and its challenge will summon you to follow the way of the Lord, and claim the triumphant life He is able to give you.”
February 25
God Knows the Way Ahead
“Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, ‘I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.’” -Exodus 15.1
We need to heed the hymn writer’s advice who said, “Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see The distant scene,- one step enough for me.” Life cannot be victorious until we wake up to the truth that God sees all, that He knows all, and that if we put our trust in Him, He will lead us safely on our journey, one step at a time.
Once when flying in an airplane over a beautiful river, I saw a boat slowly sailing on the water below. The captain of the vessel below could see no farther than the next bend of the river. But from my vantage point of 15,00 feet in the air, I could see the entire course of the river. In fact, I could even see the mouth of the river emptying into the open sea, the ultimate destination of every stream. I could see at a glance what the captain was seeing only bit by bit.
Day by day let us remember that God in His heaven can see the entire pathway before each one of us. We do not know what will happen next. Nor should that concern us so long as we walk life’s pathway hand in hand with God. He will direct us safely around the mysterious bends and over the rapids until we at last reach our destination.
So many people ask, “Why can’t I feel with assurance the presence of God with me? Sometimes I try so hard to find Him, but always there is a wall between us.”
To begin with, I do not need to search to find God, because He is never lost. It is God who seeks and finds me. He never hides from me. I am the one who hides from Him. Well did the old saint put it who said, “Whoso advances one inch through doubtings dim, God will march one mile in blazing light to him.”
There is a spring in the cleft rock which is Christ from which God daily would refresh us. It is always available. Let us make sure that we do not choke up the water of life with our sin and refusals.
TODAY’S THOUGHT: It is our responsibility to mark out a sure path to heaven for all those we love who follow us.
