Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent…In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:4,8
On waking and going to sleep, I offer my heart to you….the deepest recesses. How long does it take me to get to the full depth in search of my heart? Even those closest to me know the superficial part of my heart I am willing to show but only You Lord can go deep. I envision a frantic police search for someone missing for days, if not weeks. With each breath in, I feel you enter and fill my inmost. You will find it.
Judges 19 is a wholly awful story of crime and betrayal. There is intense violence and bloodshed in the Old Testament and story unlike any other. It sets the stage for the vindication and salvation brought by the Cross. It cannot be read without the next chapter in which war is waged for the injustice. There is passion in the battle. Light it in me as I go to war today for You, Lord. Give me anger at the injustice I witness. Small or large, the fight should be the same.
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot. They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. Acts 23:11-14
Just how much do I take for granted in this great country of ours to worship without fear? I am grateful. As I sit in the pew, I pray for those who are so passionately against our faith and will not rest until they have made it uncomfortable for us. May You deliver them Lord. Bring them to the fullness of understanding of Your presence in their lives.
“‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’ – Jeremiah 33:6-9 NIV
To confess my sins allows You to build me as I was before..back before the Fall. Help me to be open and honest with where I could have been better this week. All good things comes from it.
Lord, in the secret and quiet place, you are there. Search the depths of my heart and refine it as gold tested in fire. Jesus, I trust in You.
Sixty-six books in a year 