Psalm 14:1-7 (2)
 [2] The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
We are so centered on our feelings, our life and our future that we sometimes overlook matters of significance. For example, we speak of the God of hope. What do we mean by that? He is the God who gives me hope. That is good. But we must never forget that God also hopes. The Psalmist realized this when he said, “The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.â€Â God was hoping that He would find someone who was spiritually alert.
November 15, 2010 CBS News reported, “ Ten miles from home, a 13-year-old girl was found bound and gagged but alive four days after disappearing with her family. The whereabouts of her mother, brother and another woman remained a mystery, however.â€Â This almost sounds like a spiritual saga. Satan has captured a family. He has bound and gagged them with the entanglements of sin. But it is God who takes the initiative. God is out a search and rescue mission. He has found one, and is looking for the others. He is calling to them, longing for them, hoping they will hear His voice and respond.
Dr. Gayle Woods
John 16:7-12 (8)
7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
12“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.”
After moving to Los Angeles my 92-year-old father wanted to learn how to get to the store, the bank, and other points of his interest. I printed a map and marked where the locations he desired including the home address. We took several trips to these places and I had him tell me which way to turn as he consulted the map.
Several weeks later I had to return to Kansas City on business. During my absence he decided to go to the grocery store. He made the trip safely and bought his groceries. While in the store, however, he unknowingly became disoriented. When he left the store he turned South instead of North. He traveled through the city for quite a distance before he accepted the fact that he was in unfamiliar territory. Stopping, he asked a FedEx employee directions. The man showed him on the map how to return home.
Although we study God’s road map for our lives there may be times when circumstances in life cause us to lose our sense of direction. When our spirit begins to warn us that we are getting farther away from home it is important that we consult our map and ask the Holy Spirit to once again help us to get on the right path.
Later we purchased a compass to put in our truck. It constantly informs us what direction we are going. In like manner, the ever present Spirit is an assurance that the believer need never stray from God’s presence.
Dr. Gayle Woods
