Psalm 5:8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies—
    make your way straight before me.

I have written repeatedly on verse 3, in reference to morning devotions, but this verse is even more famous, having been beautifully set to music. The Japanese is slightly more graphic than the English, expanding “enemies” to “people who lie in wait for me.” This is certainly a verse Donald Trump should quote at this point! The thing is, we all have enemies, those who lie in wait to trip us up, but they aren’t necessarily visible. The devil and his demons desire nothing but evil for us, and there are plenty of them. C. S. Lewis’ famous book, The Screwtape Letters, though fictional, is very instructional at this point. We aren’t to take the interaction between Screwtape, a demon slightly up in the bureaucracy, and his underling Wormwood literally, but Lewis had real insight into some of the tricks that are used to make even believers ineffective. We need to be on our guard, as Peter said, (1 Peter 5:8) but not in fear, remembering that the Holy Spirit in us is greater than the devil and his forces. (1 John 4:4) We do, however, need to remember that the moment we depend on ourselves and our own abilities we lay ourselves open to all sorts of attacks. As Isaiah noted, “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6) We are “right” only to the degree we agree with and conform to God and His standards. That’s why we need to pray this verse!

I have done more than my share of thinking I was right, simply because I was me. God’s the only one who is that way! Like everyone, I think, I like to justify myself, my decisions and my actions, but as I just said, God is the standard, not me. I am to be discerning, toward myself and toward others, but not judgmental. I am to repent and call others to repentance, but not condemn, because Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6) I am to seek God’s guidance at every turn, just as in this verse, so that I may progress as He intends. I feel sure that when I look back on my life from heaven, it will look much straighter than it felt at the time!

Father, thank You for Your guidance, and for Your righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21) My I indeed walk in all You have made me to be in Christ Jesus my Lord, so that I may be fully available and useful to You for however You desire to use me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!