SCRIPTURE: Psalm 64
Do you know anyone who is evil?
I don’t mean in the general sense that we’re all sinners… but someone like David describes.
They make evil plans, their tongues are swords, their words are arrows, they attack the innocent, they cleverly scheme ways to bring them down, they have no fear of getting caught, and could care less about God or others…
I must admit, I have not met someone that matches this – which doesn’t mean they’re not out there.
To some degree, we all have hints or moments of this, but not to this degree.
David is right, people who get to be like this will find themselves facing God one day, it won’t be a happy day.
I can pride myself for not being this bad (most people do that), yet I also need to humbly admit when it creeps in.
I may not be so bold in my sin, but my subtle use of words, my subtle scheming to rise up over someone else, my secret hope that someone else will fail, my critical or judgmental attitude about others… these are not subtle or secret to God.
God hates this stuff, whether big or small, whether in seed form or fully grown.
Instead of priding myself in not being as bad as others, I need to be honest about myself, and humble before God.
I need to hate even the hint of cruelty or immorality or greed or pride, for it has a habit of growing.
Be honest with yourself and God, and then lean on Him for mercy, for He is forgiving and loving.
“Let all those whose hearts are honest praise him.” (Psalm 64:10)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, show me the hints of evil that I tend to hide or ignore or justify. May I hate them as much as You.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observations/Application
Hear. Voice. Complaint. Tongues. Talk. Say.
Once again I am reminded about the words we speak. The power of words upon others and myself. ‘Sticks and bones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’ is a false saying because of the wordpower of others and myself.
Words are to bless and not curse. Words are to build up and not break down. Words are to encourage people in the Way. Words come from the heart and from the heart come the issues of life..
What do my words say about me?
May my words edify the Lord God and His power and might and proclaim His goodness so that also by my words people may see that I am a living epistle, not only by what I do, but also what I say. I need to be His champion in all things – in word and deed, indeed.
Prayer
Lord, make me a champion of Yours indeed. Help me to find not only refuge in You but also my Source of power and Strength for the day. You are my Energizer!
O Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
Be thou for ever near me,
My Master and my Friend:
I shall not fear the battle
If thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If thou wilt be my guide.
O let me feel thee near me:
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
To hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, thou hast promised
To all who follow thee,
That where thou art in glory
There shall thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end:
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my friend.
O let me see thy foot-marks,
And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
Is in thy strength alone:
O guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end;
And then in heaven receive me,
My Saviour and my friend.