Rick McPherson October Newsletter, 2023
It was a brisk fall day and I was Northbound on the Amtrak 8:40 a.m. to Tacoma. A friend had asked me to drive a new Kenworth T880 back to Vancouver. The sight of a 200 thousand dollar truck was slightly daunting knowing it would be in my care and control for the next several hours. The interior was computer-like with widgets and gadgets everywhere. Within minutes of leaving and finding the Southbound Interstate an alarm sounded over my left shoulder. “What is that?” I said, out loud. I checked all my systems …electrical, fuel, air, brakes and all my gauges and icons. Nothing! But the alarm sounded, again. And, again. “What is wrong with this truck?” I said, again, out loud. Then, the alarm sounded from the passenger side. “Ah, got it. Seat belt is undone and my travel bag is weighing on the seat. Truck thinks it’s a passenger. No seat belt. Alarm sounds. Move the bag to the floor. Perfect.” Now, I’m talking to myself.
When the alarm sounded again, I yelled, “Stop!” So, I did and walked around the truck checking tires, wheels, lights and everything else to find the cause. Nothing. Out of options, I decided to pray and ask God for some insight. Remember James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Right!
To my surprise I realized the alarm was intermittent and irregular. Hmmm? As I counted seconds between the alarm and thought about it sounding from both the driver’s side and passenger’s, it hit me. The alarm sounds whenever you leave the lane and drive over the marker lines on the road on each side of the truck. Ah, so that’s it…!
The alarm is a safety feature that keeps you in your lane.
Now, wouldn’t it be great if an alarm sounded every time we got outside our spiritual lane? Temptation, jealousy, revenge, dishonesty, lust, sloth and the like would all be met with an alarm sounding above our head and in our heart. Well…there is. God’s Word is described by King David in Psalm 19:9-11; “The ordinances, (codes, commands, directions, orders, statues), of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
Next time you’re on the highway of your life, look for the painted markers and thank Him for helping you stay in your lane.
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Special Prayers for Israel.
Pray for Healing. Pray for Restoration. Pray for Justice. Pray for Bravery.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.’ For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, ‘Peace is within you.’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.” Psalm 122:6-9
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