Today's Reading:
Isaiah 15:1-18:7
1 Peter 2:11-3:7
Psalm 139:17-24
Click on Text Link to Read Online
Focus Verses: Psalm 139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Insight:
Psalm
139 is a beautiful song that we hear quoted frequently. The phrases
"I'm fearfully and wonderfully made" (v. 14) and "where can I go from
your Spirit" (v.7) and "before a word is on my tongue" (v. 4) and
"Search me, O God" (v.23) get mentioned quite often. I never, however,
hear anybody quote verses 19-22. There, we read the phrases, "If only
you would slay the wicked" or "I have nothing but hate for them," and
struggle with what to do with them.
Response and Action:
I
suggest that we do the same thing David did with them. We should be
honest about our anger and hate, we should give them up and place them
in God's hands, and then humbly consider his wisdom and grace.
David
begins this song (vv. 1-18) with awe and wonder at the knowledge of
God. God knows everything. God’s knowledge is before and after all
things. God is our maker and he knows us better than we know ourselves.
God's thoughts are amazing and precious.
Next, David is
honest about his own thoughts--thoughts like "God, why do you tolerate
evil?" or "God, why don't you just get rid of everyone who opposes you?"
(vv. 19-22). When we, like David, find ourselves thinking in those
ways, we might just want to take a step back and consider where we would be if that were the way God thought.
Finally,
like David (vv. 23-24), we should ask God to search our hearts and show
us the ways our thoughts and attitudes are hurtful, or shortsighted, or
motivated by fear and anxiety. We can then ask God to lead our hearts
and thoughts into better and everlasting ways.
O
God, your thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and your ways are
higher than my ways. Help me to think more like you think. Make my heart
more like yours. Replace my hate and frustration with grace and hope.
Help me extend to others the same love, forgiveness, and redemption you
have shown to me. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: Matthew 5:43-45a
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
Resources:
A Heart for God: Learning From David Through the Tough Choices of Life
by Rebecca Manley Pippert
No comments:
Post a Comment