

. . . I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17b
We have all experienced computer errors.
I think it's safe to say none of us have ever seen a computer error on the scale experienced by the HMS Sheffield.
During the Falkland War between England and Argentina, the British destroyer HMS Sheffield was sunk by an Argentine missile. In the official investigation it was discovered that the Sheffield's radar had successfully picked up the incoming missile.
Not only that, the ship's computer had identified the rocket as a French-made Exocet.
Sadly, the computer had been told to ignore Exocets because they were "friendly." The investigation concluded the ship was sunk by a missile it saw coming and could have eluded.
I wonder how many times we all have been "sunk" by a problem or sin that we saw, identified, and then ignored.
Quite possibly we thought it wouldn't do us any harm, and then, surprise! There's an explosion and we find ourselves swimming for our spiritual lives.
To help us elude such startling surprises our loving Lord gives us directions for our lives. In His Word, God tells us how to identify our spiritual enemies and live each day with gladness and in safety. The closer we listen to Him, the closer we walk with His Son, our Savior, the happier and safer we will be.
So, as you sail through the day today, trust in the Redeemer and don't get sunk.
From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I ask that You keep me in harmony with You. Let me identify and avoid the missiles sent at me by the dark forces of this world. Keep me safe and grant that I may do Your will. This I ask in the Savior's 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: 2 Chronicles 31-32 Acts 20:1-16
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