So be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. – Matthew 10:16
Jesus spoke these words to His disciples as He sent them on their first missionary journey. He understood the conflict and the obstacles that the disciples would experience. He urged them to be observant, wary even, knowing that there would be hostility toward His messengers. At the same time, He told them to be pure in their motives. The Lord also desired that they maintain the calm stability that only confidence and assurance of His sovereign love could give. The disciples went on their journey not knowing what to expect, but learning to be vigilant against attack. Life can be unpleasant and unpredictable, but as a believer, you have the Spirit of the Living God to strengthen and guide you. You can have confidence in the Lord to lead and comfort you as you seek Him and His will. He walks beside you as your Shepherd protecting you from the wolves (Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:23; John 10:11, 14).
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For federal, state, and local officials to be pure in their motivations as they go about representing their constituents.
- For the Lord to draw the heart of the president and his administration officials to Him.
