Psalm 26

Scripture 

Psalm 26: 1-3

Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

Observation-What does it say?

This is another Psalm from King David. King David confidently told the Lord to test Him and examine his heart and mind to see if there was any wickedness in him, for he had been leading a blameless life.

Understanding-What does it mean?

We can learn a lot from King David. I know that I do.

Besides Deborah in the book of Judges and the Apostle Paul in the New Testament, King David is one of my favorite Biblical characters! I love how he is a musician; I love his humble story of how the Lord appointed him as King; I love how he hired skilled musicians for the Temple and assigned them their duties by asking the Lord what He wanted (I Chronicles 25:7), and I love that even in his sins/moral failure as king, he didn’t allow that mistake to define him. He took the consequence of his son’s death humbly, repented, remained blameless before God and was a man after His heart, just like when he first started/was chosen.

Through testing and hard seasons in King David’s life, He relied completely on the Lord to deliver Him, not man. As a result, God’s grace and favor was on His life, even through difficult circumstances that were beyond his control.

Life Application

During seasons of testing, are we confidently relying on Christ’s unfailing love and faithfulness towards us?

If you had to grade yourself on how you went through this past year (and continuing on) with everything from Covid, to home life, to social issues and unrest, to the 2020 election, and even grief, what grade would you give yourself? How is the Holy Spirit prompting you to be more dependent on Christ’s love, faithfulness and control through circumstances outside of our control? If you feel led to share, please do so in the comments section below.

For me, I know the Holy Spirit is teaching me how to be more self controlled, an initiator of peace with my brothers and sisters in Christ, a better listener of others’ concerns/opinions instead of venting my own, and to put my WHOLE faith, hope and trust in His perfect love, faithfulness, strength and providence alone. My husband’s favorite verse, which closes out this post perfectly is Proverbs 3:5 NIV- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” 

-Michelle Gaddi

Romans_3

ScriptureRomans 3:3-4³ What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? ⁴ Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar.  Observation - What does it say?The Apostle Paul pointed to a popular argument at the time: The unfaithfulness of God’s people must point to the fact that God himself is unfaithful. He argues that God is not a reflection of his unfaithful followers! Even if every human being is unfaithful, sinful, and a liar, it doesn’t take away from the fact that God is completely faithful, holy and true. Understanding - What does it mean?You cannot blame a holy God for unholy followers.We have all heard people make a negative observation of a Christian and say, “If that’s what a Christian is like, I don’t want to have anything to do with Christianity.” They get hurt or put off by one person and then use it to discredit God and the entire gospel.So many people in our culture today are wounded by Christians. It’s inevitable. None of us are perfect, and none of us (if we’re honest) can claim to be. The world will surely see our love and the positive effect that the gospel has had on our lives. But the world will also surely see that we are still imperfect. And it’s those imperfections that can lead others away from God if they believe that Christians are supposed to be perfect representations of God on the earth. Although that is our goal, none of us are there yet.Paul reminds us, human unfaithfulness doesn’t nullify God’s faithfulness! Life ApplicationHave I been hurt by someone and blamed God for it? Has my perception of God been tainted because of my experience with others?

God, we declare that you are faithful. You are good. You are holy. You are kind. Help us to see you for who you are and to not fall into the bad logic that because someone who claims to follow you is imperfect it must mean that you’re imperfect. We disregard that and acknowledge that you are perfect in every way. We worship you. Amen.

 

-Levi Thompson

Romans__2

Scripture  Romans 2:7-8 

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.  But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. Observation-What does it say?  The letter of Romans was written by Paul and it was likely written on his third missionary journey.  He wrote the letter to the church in Rome, which was predominantly gentile, with a large minority of Jews.  The letter focuses on a basic gospel message and God’s plan of salvation for all people.  He uses frank language when addressing that all people are broken and in need of the freedom we receive from Christ’s death on the cross.  In chapter two, Paul addresses God’s wrath, which is a consequence of our choice to live in sin.  God’s wrath and judgement often seems juxtaposed to His grace and mercy, though it is an equally important part of his character. Understanding-What does it mean?  Police officers are, to a degree, the bearers of the wrath of law.  As a police officer, I have become used to the idea of being the “bad guy.”  I have been called all types of names, many of which shouldn’t really be repeated.  More times than I can count, I’ve been accused of ruining peoples’ lives by enforcing the law.  I’ve also been accused of upholding the law with prejudice and targeting certain types of people.  Rarely has anyone told me thank you for taking them to jail.   Part of the reason laws are created is to ensure the safety of people in society.  For example, it is against the law to drive above certain speeds in certain areas (i.e. residential areas).  It’s also against the law to drive after having alcoholic drinks, because there is an increased risk of injury to the driver and others on the road.  Therefore, when an officer writes a speeding ticket, or takes someone to jail for DUI, they are acting for the safety of the person who is experiencing the wrath of law. Throughout scripture we read of times where God brings His wrath on the people he loves.  Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets foretold the impending doom of Israel, because they were not living out the laws given to them by God.  After the wrath, when the people of Israel turned back to God, He would pour out his love and favor on them.  The laws given to Israel by God were written for their good, even more than the laws written by man, and yet Israel (and us) still chose to live in opposition of those laws.  God’s wrath works to turn us away from our sins, much like the fear of getting a speeding ticket keeps people from speeding.   Paul later writes that we are all sinners and deserve the wrath of God.  But, Jesus took on that wrath when he died on the cross.  “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2)  God’s love for us is so great that he placed the burden of His wrath on Jesus, the burden which we could not bear.
Life Application 

Jesus, thank you for taking on God’s wrath for me.  Even though I deserve death, you have taken that sentence for me.  Help me to look at your discipline as an aspect of your love.  When your word directs me to abstain, help me to know that is your love.    

 

-Tyler Galloway