Drop Anchor
I love being on the water riding my old pontoon boat. There is something about being on the water that dissipates the stress right out of me. I enjoy riding up and down the lake just enjoying God’s creation. In fact, I was just telling my wife that I’d like to take another trip to see the colors of fall from the middle of the lake. (I know it sounds like another excuse to go for a boat ride!) In the summer, one of my favorite things to do when it’s really hot is to drop anchor and jump off the side of the boat and float in the coolness of the water. I usually like to play music and float around the boat since it’s anchored. I learned a few years ago that the size of the anchor depends on the size of the boat. I was using an anchor that wasn’t large enough and the boat would begin to drift away with the slightest breeze. I now will put an anchor off the bow (front) and the stern (back) of the boat.
This morning I was reading the longest Psalm in the bible. I’m not sure if David is the author. It was very long, and he kept referring to the Lord’s commands and regulations as good. As someone who has broken more than my share of God’s commands and learned what a dead-end street those choices are, I understand why the author was so emphatic about obedience. It sounds like “he had been there and done that”. Check this out….
57 Lord, you are mine!
I promise to obey your words!
58 With all my heart I want your blessings.
Be merciful as you promised.
59 I pondered the direction of my life,
and I turned to follow your laws.
60 I will hurry, without delay,
to obey your commands.
61 Evil people try to drag me into sin,
but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
130 The teaching of your word gives light,
so even the simple can understand.
132 Come and show me your mercy,
as you do for all who love your name.
133 Guide my steps by your word,
so I will not be overcome by evil. (Psalm 119:57-61,105,130,132-133 NLT)
I need the Word of God to point me to the Anchor of my soul. It helps me to stop any other activity and spend time in His Word. His instructions are for my benefit. My life will have peace when I follow His call upon my heart. When I try to do things my own way, it almost always ends in disaster. Just because I read the Word of God doesn’t mean I won’t be tempted. Just because I read the Word of God doesn’t mean I won’t sin. I think reading the Word of God has made alarms go off when the enemy is prowling around to take me out. I pray often that the Lord would reveal the enemy’s schemes to me. I pray often that the Lord would purify my heart from things I’ve heard and seen that distract me from Him. I need the Word of God to anchor me to the heart of God. I need this daily as I begin my day. I want to see sin coming from a distance and be prepared when it appears in close proximity. I want my defense to be the Word of God just like Jesus when confronted by the enemy after His fast prior to beginning His ministry. The Word of God is an anchor for my soul, reminding me to follow the instruction plan of God for my life.
Pressing On!
Dwayne