Psalm 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies–
make straight your way before me.

The Japanese is a bit more graphic than the English here: “those who lie in wait for me” vs. “my enemies.” The fact of the matter is, we do have enemies who lie in wait for our souls, even if we aren’t directly aware of them. The devil and his demons watch for us to let our guard down, and then they are quick to pounce. David had enemies he could call by name, which made it a bit easier to understand that he was in constant need of God’s guidance and protection. It is interesting to note that he prayed, “Lead me in Your righteousness.” In the OT particularly, righteousness is virtually synonymous with faithfulness, especially in reference to God. God is faithful because He is righteous, and visa versa. That helps us understand the famous, and pivotal, statement in Genesis 15:6, that “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Human beings are not very faithful. Apart from God’s grace, we can’t be depended on to do the right thing. However, Abram believed, trusted, God, and God said that was enough. This whole issue is why God takes faithfulness so seriously, from faithfulness to Him, having no other gods, to faithfulness to our spouse. It’s no accident that in the whole book of Hosea, as in many other places, the Bible equates idolatry with marital infidelity. David famously blew it on this issue in one direction, and his son Solomon blew it in the other direction. There are indeed those who lie in wait for us, and we need to be consistent in seeking God’s way so that we may not move out from under His protection.

I have experienced God’s protection more times than I could count, and, I’m sure, more times than I’m aware of. I am not to be anxious, but neither am I to take that guidance and protection lightly. Likewise, as I minister to those under my care, I am to encourage them to recognize their need for guidance and protection, and then walk in what God so graciously provides. We need to start each day with this prayer, whether or not we use precisely these words, so that all the plans of the devil may be foiled and all of God’s plans for us fulfilled, for His glory.

Father, thank You for what You are continuing to do among us. Thank You that You know who needs to be here and who doesn’t. I pray that I would be faithful first of all, and that we all would be faithful to You, walking in obedient trust, so that Your gracious plans for us may be fulfilled indeed, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!