"whatever a man trusts in, from that he expects happiness.”

Psalm 32:8-11

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.  Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.  Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.  Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”

Ken Ryan was not only a mentor to me, he became a special friend, but on days he would ask do you believe what we study in the Scripture.  My answer was yes, you know I do, and it was always the same reply; no, you don’t for if you did, you would do what it says to do.  What was my problem, I believed what we read as the word of God, but I’ve come to understand I was not yet teachable.  I had way too much of Bob and not enough of Jesus; I was a believer but was still full of the fleshly desires.  I believe this quote sums up why life at that time; “Be happy in him, O my heart, and in nothing but God, for whatever a man trusts in, from that he expects happiness.”

But the Psalmist is referring to a teachable man, shall we explore these four verses and see what God wants to do for those that believe in Him.  Please ponder on verse eight, our Father has sent the Holy Spirit to instruct and teach each of us in the way we should go, and if we listen and obey we will seek His counsel.  Now God is not going to make you trust in Him, He will not put a bit in your mouth, but when you have a teachable spirit, He is going to guide you in righteousness.

So be quick to look to Jesus, seek Him, and do not do as I and many others who are still trying to walk in both the world, (getting our needs met outside of Christ) and the Spirit, you must come to put no confidence in your flesh.  One must remember that Channel One is from the pit of hell, it's the deceptive channel.  It tells you lies in your voice like; you deserve, and you're entitled, that a lie.  But Channel Two is a much softer voice, it is the Holy Spirit, and He never attacks you by saying your of no value, for you are of great importance to our Lord.  If you have ears to hear, He will correct you and guide you into peace and joy, even in the middle of your trouble.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice