I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set Your rules before me. I cling to Your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! Psalm 119:30-31

Until I read last week's article in the Associated Press, I had never heard of the Great American Think-Off.

In case you also have never heard of the Great American Think-Off, let me explain. The Think-Off is a philosophy competition giving ordinary Joes and Janes like you and me the chance to address some of life's more challenging questions.

This year the issue was immigration: "Does immigration strengthen or threaten the United States?" The winner of the competition was Craig Allen of Oregon who received a gold medal. Craig said our broken immigration policy needs to be fixed as, right now, illegal immigrants pose a threat to the country.

The person who won second place, was Deana Cavaliere who said immigrants have made America into an innovative and wealthy melting pot of cultures and ideas.

Two people received third place, bronze medals. One of them said immigration strengthens the United States while the other said it threatens the country.

Now, unless I have missed something that pretty much means the winners of the Great American Think-Off covered the complete spectrum of thinking in regard to immigration. Some of the winners were for it, and others were against it.

Having read the story, I was left wondering this: "Who's right?" I still don't know. Not knowing who, or what, is right is a major problem for many. We have seen so many things from so many angles that we question whether any person can be trusted or relied upon.

The Psalmist who wrote our text for today must have been confronted by the same kind of dilemma. Even so the Lord gave him an answer. By the Holy Spirit's direction, he was able to say: "I set Your rules before me; I cling to Your testimonies." To trust God, His will, His way, His plan of salvation - - that is the wise thing, the right thing, for any person to do.

After all, "God's Word is truth" (John 17:17).

True. Sometimes people will laugh at us; they will attempt to make us appear foolish, backward, and naïve. That's nothing new. Thousands of years ago the Psalmist wanted to be spared from being put "to shame." Even so, shame or no shame, he, like all of God's saved people, remained committed to staying near his heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, our Savior.

And unlike immigration, that's one thing I am sure of.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, while I am not eager to be laughed at, if that is the price that must be paid for believing in You and Your truth, give me strength to be Your faithful disciple. Let me, with Your Psalmist say, "I cling to Your testimonies." In Your Name I pray it.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Song 6-8    Acts 7:22-43

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