April 5th

April 5th

Read: Psalm 23:1-6;  Psalm 31:3;  Psalm 139:23-24;  Hebrews 5:7-9; 1 Samuel 15:22

Oscar was a small black and white terrier mix who lived with us for several years. While he did not always obey readily, he did obey often enough for me to draw the analogy below .. When we begin to think for ourselves rather than apply to God and then obey His directives, we are apt to find ourselves lost for a while, hungry for spiritual food, polluted by the world, or walking into one of Satan’s snares. None of those things are in God’s perfect will for His children, but His permissive will allows us to go our own way and take the lesson of experience.

THE VOICE OF HIS MASTER
“Come, Oscar; come.”
His head swivels ’round.
His tail at alert,
He comes with a bound.

“COME, MY CHILD: COME.
YOU’RE STARTING TO STRAY.”
“You go on ahead, Lord.
I know the way.” Mt. 7:13

“Come, Oscar; come.
‘Tis time now to eat.”
I hear in an instant
His scampering feet.

“COME, MY CHILD; COME.
COME FEED ON MY WORD.”
“Lord, I’m too busy;
Besides that, I’ve heard.” 1 Pet. 2:2

“Come, Oscar; come.
Your bath time is now.”
He droops and he shivers,
But comes anyhow.

“COME, MY CHILD, COME.
THERE’S PURGING AHEAD.”
“That’s much too hard, Lord;
I’ll stay here instead.” John 15:2

“Come, Oscar; come.
That cat likes to claw.”
He comes to my feet
and offers his paw.

“COME, MY CHILD, COME.
AND SAFELY ABIDE.”
“O Lord, ’tis but Satan.
From him I can hide!” 1 Peter 5:8

Which one is safer?
Which fully fed?
Which clean and healthy?
Which truly led?
Which shows obedience?
Which one is free
For love and communion
In humility?

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be obedient to Your Word and Your will in my life.