Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Psalm 119:34-36
Scientists tell me that polar bears, as they try to catch their favorite dinner of seal, sometimes resort to a cunning bit of trickery. If the seal's hole is near the edge of the ice, the polar bear will take a deep breath and swim under water to its exact location. Remaining below the surface, he will then make a sound that imitates a fish. When the charmed seal hears this, he dives in for a supper, only to find himself entrapped in the huge, hungry embrace of the bear.
I wonder how many of life's temptations are that way? They sneak up on us, promising to give us our heart's desire. It's only when we make a commitment and dive in, do we find out that we've been entrapped. Maybe we ought to change that old expression, "Look before you leap." to "Look before you dive in." A lot of people would be a lot better off if they did.
To guide us in our life's diving or leaping, the Lord has given us His commandments. Follow them, and you will find life's temptations will go unheeded, and you stay out of sin's grasp.
From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"
THE PRAYER: Dear God, life's temptations sneak up on me, promising to give my heart's desire. I am thankful that You have given Your commandments to guide me in my life's dives and leaps. Incline my heart to Your will and fill me with Your understanding, so that I can stay out of sin's grasp. In Your Name, Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 45-46 Romans 8:22-39
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" or "Download Linked File As"