TLIC Psalms. December 20. Let Your Good Spirit Lead Me.  

Read Psalm 143:1-12. ¹Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! ²Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. ³For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. ⁴Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. ⁵I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. ⁶I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. ⁷Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. ⁸Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. ⁹Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge. ¹⁰Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! ¹¹For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! ¹²And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.

Psalm 143 is a conversion experience. From a spirit that is fainting to a spirit that is led by the good Spirit of God. A leading that is no less our experience in Christ.

Make me know the way I should go – The path God had for David was a unique path, and so is yours. Christ doesn’t steal your individuality when he possesses you. He brings it to its fullest completion, guiding you in your individual calling.

Teach me to do your will – Your path is unique, but it is still bounded by God’s will. It is not your own path of self-expression, but his path of Christ-expression.

Lead me –  Knowing our need for constant guidance is the beginning of the wisdom required to live from union with Christ.

Let your good Spirit lead me –David’s words could be the Apostle Paul’s. The Holy Spirit of Christ leads us from the inside out, working his love in and out of our hearts in moment by moment enlightenment that renews our minds.

Level ground – To live is Christ is solid ground. Jesus will keep us from stumbling until the day he brings us home.

Prayer. Jesus, may my fainting spirit learn to follow the leading of your Spirit within me today and every day. Amen.