Lead Me, Oh Lord!

Lately, many who have the life spotlight have been doing some wicked things.  It can make you embarrassed to be American, or even human!  When you look at the actions of some, it can really make you look down on them; and raise your own self up a bit. Yes! Go ahead and admit it … you sometimes raise yourself up just a bit and see them suddenly .. beneath you. I think we’ve all done this at least once, even when we don’t realize we’ve done it.

This points out a truth about who we each are.  I’ll talk about me.  You see, I haven’t killed anyone; spoken with ill regard of anyone publicly; abused any child; mistreated anyone because of their ethnicity; etc. etc. etc.  So,  unlike those people I read about or see on the TV screen, I am holier than thou! Right?!?!  WRONG!

Truth is, only God knows why I refrain from what I refrain from and only God knows the things I do that none of you see.  My mind knows the blessing of trusting God completely and submitting to Him in all things; but my heart, without the leading of the Lord, is self serving even when my desire is to be good! Do you get what I’m saying?  You see, there is nothing in this world that can hide its weaknesses and failings like our hearts/minds. We can truly think that what we hope for is for the good of all people around us, but there is something within each of us that favors ourselves over others and the ONLY way to move past it … to have triumph over these thoughts/desires … is to knowingly and sincerely and deliberately place our hearts and minds in His hands. As for me … I do it every single day! I don’t hope in myself, not for one moment. My hope lies in the actions and love of my King.  He searches my heart and knows my true desires; He is faithful to see if there is any evil in my heart and His mercy and grace are powerful and can be counted upon to always lead me in the everlasting way.

I’m ever grateful that I have learned not to depend upon man – not even myself – to do the right thing.  I depend upon the Holy Spirit in me to bring about in my life what The Lord wills to be so.  Even when it seems that I’ve done a good thing, the truth is that it is only the work of the Holy Spirit in me.  Search me, O God! Lead me, O God! Omnipresent God – my soul hides in You!

“Search me, Oh God, and know my heart. Try me, Oh God, and know my thoughts. See if there be any evil in me! Lead me, Omnipresent God! Lead me, Omnipresent God! Light and darkness are both the same. I, in thy presence, Thy greatness proclaim. See if there be any evil in me! Lead me, Omnipresent God! Lead me, Omnipresent! If my make my bed in heaven, Thou art there! Thou art there! If I make my bed in hell, Thou art there, Oh God! Thou art there! If I take the wings of the morning, or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea … even then I will find you there, Oh God, and my soul shall hide in Thee! Omnipresent God, my soul shall hide in Thee!” – the late, Glenn Burleigh (based upon Psalm 139)