February 18 - Rejoice in the Lord!

Today's Reading:
1 Kings 22:1-53
2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Psalm 97:1-12 
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Focus Verses:
Psalm 97:9-12
9 For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. 10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.

Insight:
Acknowledging God to be the only True God over all the earth involves turning away from wickedness. To love the Lord is to hate evil. Walking into the light requires leaving the darkness. Joy is the result of having an upright heart that seeks God. True praise involves the pursuit of holiness.

Response and Action:
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father—God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life who proceeds from the Father and the Son. I believe the triune God is faithful and able to deliver me. I believe that joy is found in living for God, in seeking righteousness, and in turning away from evil. I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will seek his counsel. I will walk in his light. I will read his word, and I will sing his praise.

O God, help me turn away from what is wrong and do what is right. You are the only true God. You are faithful. Help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Lead me away from temptation. Deliver me from evil. Help me to praise you by seeking righteousness. Fill me with joy as I and give me an upright heart. Teach and empower me to live an upright life. Transform me by your Holy Spirit. Help me to acknowledge you in all my ways. Let you light shine on me, and help me to reflect your glory. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses: John 3:19-21
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Resources:
Becoming Good
by David W. Gill