8/12/26

When Thomas Edison was asked how he dealt with failure, he famously said, "I did not fail; I found over 1,000 ways not to make a light bulb." Once he had eliminated all the ways not to make it, then he would know how to make it.

Abraham Lincoln failed at business and was stuck for several years paying off the debt from it. He then entered politics, where he was either not chosen by his party or lost the election a total of eight times. Yet he definitely did not give up and was finally elected as president of the USA.

David failed God on more than one occasion, yet in our text today, he is found praying to God these words. Psalm 143:10 NASB95: Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

How many times have you failed at following God and living in His will? I honestly do not think that the greatest mathematician would be able to count the number of times I have disappointed or failed God. Yet just like David, I found myself praying this morning, Lord, help me come back and stay in the closest relationship with you possible. I want to do His will, but I fail so often.

I want to be a student sitting in the classroom with God teaching me, and my attention completely focused as He passionately reveals to me how to always completely do His will. However, I was never a great student.

Sometimes I have to read things multiple times to get them into my head. I have learned through many years of studying that I will not be perfect at following God. However, that doesn't change my desire. I still want to make every effort to please Him by doing His will. Never to earn anything, but always because of what the text says next. "You are my God." He is my Lord. My life isn't about me; it is about Him. I love my Lord so much I want His passion to be my passion. Often we get this backwards. We want our passion to be His passion. He is creator we are His creation. He is Lord; we are His subjects. He is Savior; we are saved by Him. Then praise the Lord; we can please Him and walk in His will because, as the text says, "Your good Spirit lead me on level ground." He leads us not just by teaching us but by putting the teacher inside of us. He guides us not just by the hand but by the soul.

May this text be our prayer. Psalm 143:10 NASB95: Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Then add: Help me to release control.

I pray today that you will experience the teaching of Jesus. This can only happen if He is your Lord and you truly mean this prayer by releasing control.

Love Brother Scott