Today’s Reading:
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
Exodus 14:9-25
Matthew 7:15-29
“O Lord, thou has searched me, and known me. Thou knows my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understands my thought afar off. Thou compasses my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue but, lo, O Lord, thou knows it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell by the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hides not from thee; but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. …. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts: And see if there by any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 AKJV)
Like the Psalmist, we should be able to boldly opened every part of his being - character, behaviour and speech to God’s scrutiny, As difficult as things are in life, we should often do this to ensure a healthy spiritual growth in wisdom, so that we do not fall under God’s judgement with the wicked (141:5; 142:3; 143:8, 10; 144:3-4). There is no how we can escape from the watchful eye of God. When we ruminate upon the love and care of God for us, even before we were born, all stress, anxiety and fear will disappear. We will be able to place our confident trust and hope in Him.
Many a time we want to shield part of ourselves from people for fear of discovering something they may not like about us. But it should not be so with God. God knows every detail about us up to the number of the hair on our head (Matt. 10:30). Whatever state He finds us, He accept us as we are, love us, care for us, guiding us. God is with us through thick and thin, through every trying situation of our life. He never leaves us for a second; we are the ones who always drift away from Him (1-5).
The good news is that God is Omnipresent, and so we cannot be lost to His Holy Spirit. No matter what we do or where we are, we will not be lost from God’s loving presence (v. 7; Rom. 8:35-39). David’s hatred for his enemies is born out of his love and zeal for God. He regarded his enemies as God’s enemies, so his hatred was a desire for God’s righteous justice and not for personal vendetta. It is good when we are angry with those who hate God. But then it is God that will deal with them. If we truly love God, our hatred for them should be turned to burden for the salvation of their souls (vv. 21-24; Matt. 5:44).
As I conclude, we should allow God to search us for sin and point out any form of wrong doing or wickedness in us. We cannot discern our errors. It is God that will reveal our hidden faults and He will empower us to deal with it in repentance (v. 24; Ps. 19:11-13).
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
O Lord our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Lord search me, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts, in Jesus name.
Lord see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting, in Jesus name.
Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, in Jesus name.
Lord, You are God and not man, wherever out of zeal and love for you, I have dealt wrongfully with your enemies, Forgive me, in Jesus name.
Lord I lift up the banner of the name of Jesus; draw men to You in Jesus name.
Father, visit every Christian home with Your mercy and love; heal, repair and mend relationships, in Jesus name.
Lord, fill the body of Christ with your love, wisdom and understanding and unite them to fulfil their mission, in Jesus name.
Lord use the situation in our nation to populate Your kingdom here on earth, in Jesus name.
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