Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Friday, August 3, 2018

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."¹

I remember reading the following story in Reader's Digest about an independent trucker who was having difficulty finding his delivery location. "Take exit 20, turn right, and then take the second left," were the instructions he was given.

He took the correct exit, turned right, then took the second left and ended up back on the highway.

He tried again. The same thing happened.

He called the company, who gave him some adjusted directions. His next two attempts put him back on the highway going the opposite direction.

However, he recalled having seen a police car parked not far from the exit. So on his fifth attempt, he parked his rig, walked over to the police car and asked the officer for help.

"Don't worry," said the officer, "just wait a while. Your trucks have been coming by all morning. All you need to do is follow the next one that gets off the highway."

Do you ever feel like you are also going around in circles getting nowhere fast? I've certainly been there. I often kid that I wish God would have an e-mail address so when I'm confused or have difficulty "finding my way," I could get God's leading and direction a whole lot easier and faster.

Being a little more realistic, however, we know that God doesn't make our decisions for us. If he did, he would be acting as a codependent. In so doing he would stop us from becoming responsible and growing up. However, when we trust our life and ways to God and seek his guidance, he has promised to give us wisdom and direction to help us make the right choices and find the right way.

Sometimes it takes a while to get God's directions—but while we're waiting there's always something for us to learn.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, sometimes I'm confused and feel like I am going around in circles getting nowhere. Please help me to always seek your guidance and direction. In so doing I choose to trust you to lead me in the way I need to go. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV).

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