Today's Reading:
Genesis 37:1-38:30
Luke 8:40-9:6
Psalm 14:1-7
Click on Text Link to Read Online
Focus Verses:
Psalm 14:2-3
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Insight:
Contrasting
the wicked and the righteous is a major consideration throughout the
Old Testament Psalter. In Psalm 11, David says that "He takes refuge in
the Lord" who "is righteous and loves justice," believing that
"upright men will see his face."
In Psalm 14, he
attaches wickedness with the denial of God, saying those who say 'there
is no God' are corrupt. He acknowledges, however, that "all have
turned aside" from God, and "there is no one who does good, not even
one."
In Psalm 15, he extols the virtues of integrity
and applauds the one who "is righteous, speaking the truth from his
heart." David says that these are the people who will dwell with God
and cannot be shaken.
Response and Action:
I
will give careful thought to my ways. I want to live a righteous life
that honors God. Though I want to speak the truth, I humbly recognize
the ways I have turned from God and become corrupt. I am thankful that,
through faith in Christ Jesus, God has reached past my sin and is at
work to redeem and renew me. I’m glad that by God’s grace and
redemptive power I can turn away from misdeeds and, instead, live by the
Spirit.
O God, by the power
and grace of your Holy Spirit, lead, teach, transform, shape, and
strengthen me. Forgive me of my sin and help me to turn away from it.
Create in me a clean heart. By your Spirit, make me a person of
integrity. I cannot be righteous on my own. Thank you for the grace
you've extended to me through Jesus. Help me to abide in Him and in
doing so become able to walk in his ways. Amen
Spiritual Formation Verses: Romans 3:20-24
20
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing
the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Resources:
Becoming Good
by David W. Gill
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