It was Saturday morning as Jake, an avid hunter, woke up ready to go bag the
first deer of the season. He walked down to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee,
and to his surprise he found his wife, Alice, sitting there, fully dressed in
camouflage.
Jake asked her, "What are you up to?"
Alice smiled. "I'm going hunting with you!" Jake had many reservations about
this, but reluctantly decided to take her along.
When they arrived at the hunting site, Jake set his wife safely up in the tree
stand and told her, "If you see a deer, take careful aim and I'll come running
back as soon as I hear the shot." He walked away with a smile on his face
knowing that Alice couldn't bag an elephant, much less a deer.
However, within ten minutes, Jake was startled as he heard an array of gunshots.
Quickly, Jake ran back. As he got closer to her stand, he heard Alice screaming:
"Get away from my deer!"
Confused, Jake raced faster towards his screaming wife. And again he heard her
yell, "Get away from my deer!" Followed by another volley of gunfire!
Now within sight of where he had left his wife, Jake was surprised to see a
cowboy, with his hands high in the air. The cowboy, obviously distraught, said,
"Okay, lady, okay!!!! You can have your deer!!! Just let me get my saddle off
it!"
I suppose we've all done some pretty stupid things in our lifetime. I'd like to
share with you some of the most stupid mistakes I've ever made but
unfortunately, time and space does not permit! :-)
I can tell you that when I do something stupid, I don't want anyone else to find
out about it. In fact, I will go to great lengths to make sure that no one
learns about it. I don't want the embarrassment of ridicule. I don't want to
hear, "I told you so!" Or "You should have known better!" Or "What were you
thinking?!" So I'm reluctant to share my shortcomings.
That's why there's a passage in Psalm 139 which is a bit perplexing:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if
there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm
139:23-24)
Do you see what David is doing? He is inviting God to take a look at his heart
and find all the stupid things that are hidden there. Why would he invite God to
do that?
I can only think of one reason. David had an absolute trust in God. He knew that
God loved him. He knew that instead of ridiculing him or berating him upon
finding fault, God would do everything in His power to help David to find
restoration and peace of mind. David had the utmost confidence in God. How I
desire that in my life!
"Father, I know that you are aware of everything in my life, both good and bad.
I know that I can't hide from you, but I confess that I often desire to do so. I
want a faith that can be as open and honest as David was. Reluctantly, I invite
you into my heart. Show me my shortcomings, and lead me in your paths of
righteousness. In Jesus' name, amen."
Have a great day!
Alan Smith alan.smith@whcoc.com
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.