Scripture
Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.
— Psalm 5:8 (ESV)
Devotional
Very bitter is the enmity of the world against the people of Christ. Men will forgive a thousand faults in others, but they will magnify the most trivial offence in the followers of Jesus. Instead of vainly regretting this, let us turn it to account, and since so many are watching for our halting, let this be a special motive for walking very carefully before God. If we live carelessly, the lynx-eyed world will soon see it, and with its hundred tongues, it will spread the story, exaggerated and emblazoned by the zeal of slander. They will shout triumphantly. “Aha! So would we have it! See how these Christians act! They are hypocrites to a man.” Thus will much damage be done to the cause of Christ, and much insult offered to his name. The cross of Christ is in itself an offence to the world; let us take heed that we add no offence of our own. It is “to the Jews a stumblingblock”: let us mind that we put no stumblingblocks where there are enough already. “To the Greeks it is foolishness”: let us not add our folly to give point to the scorn with which the worldly-wise deride the gospel. How jealous should we be of ourselves! How rigid with our consciences! In the presence of adversaries who will misrepresent our best deeds, and impugn our motives where they cannot censure our actions, how circumspect should we be! Pilgrims travel as suspected persons through Vanity Fair. Not only are we under surveillance, but there are more spies than we know of. The espionage is everywhere, at home and abroad. If we fall into the enemies’ hands we may sooner expect generosity from a wolf, or mercy from a fiend, than anything like patience with our infirmities from men who spice their infidelity towards God with scandals against his people. O Lord, lead us ever, lest our enemies trip us up!
Reflection
The world will forgive a thousand faults in its own and magnify one in you. Do not waste the night regretting that. Use it. Walk carefully. Do not add your own offense to the offense of the cross. Vanity Fair is full of spies. The gospel does not ask you to be slick. It asks you to be led. “Lead me, O Lord.” That is still a real prayer.
Goad
Where are you still giving the lynx-eyed world a story to tell, and will you ask Him to lead you before they write it?
Tie-In
Morning pulled you out of the world’s aims. Evening reminds you the world is still watching. Separate, then circumspect. He leads the people He set apart, because of their enemies and for His name.
Closing
Spurgeon’s classic text with a brief reflection to help today’s reader.
If these words have stirred something, sit with it.
NewGrapes Ministries. Making disciples, not pew-fillers. Soli Deo Gloria.