Saturday August 7, 2021

Today’s Reading: Psalm 101

I will pay attention to the way of integrity. When will You come to me? I will live with integrity of heart in my house.

Psalm 101:2

Reflection: Every believer – even the one most earnest of heart and spirit – is at the complete mercy of God for guidance and strength to honor Him. As Christ’s followers, we aspire to sing unto Him praise all of the time. We long for the way of integrity to show in every decision we make, every word we utter, everything that we do. As people of God, we desire to be completely separate from all that is not of Him. We strive to dissociate ourselves from that which is evil or sinful. But alas, we are too frail to accomplish this on our own. Even in our desire to please the LORD, we fail miserably.

So, even here, we are in desperate need of God. While we despise sin, we also struggle with it as it continues to be a part of us. Those good things that we want to do we do not do, and the bad things that we do not want to do we do. Paul the great Apostle confessed to experiencing this constant struggle with the temptations of the world. This is the very reason that we cannot resolve to cast out sin and evil ourselves. The psalmist turns away from godless things, which is well and good. But turning away from sin is not enough to keep us from it. An even better thing that the psalmist does is turn toward the LORD. His eyes favor the faithful of the land and his attention is focused on the way of integrity, both of which are of God.

The more that we consume ourselves with the affairs of the LORD, the more we fill ourselves with His truth, the more we are given the strength to do what pleases Him. More of Him and less of us is the way which gives Him glory. Are you struggling to be an example of mercy and grace to others? Are you tempted to act in ways which do not honor God? Do not continue any further without seeking the help of the LORD. Seek Him, that you may be strengthened and guided to do all He desires.

Prayer: Gracious and Merciful Father, I struggle to be a constant reflection of Your love. I fail in my own best efforts to glorify Your Name. Each moment I am given to give You praise is a moment that I realize my great, desperate need for You. Thank You for being so gracious to hear my cries for help and to answer. Thank You for helping me even to worship You. I pray that You continue to lead me. Please guide and guard my heart, and continue to transform me by Your Spirit. I pray all of these things in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Bible-in-a-Year Reading Plan (credit: Bible, studytools.com): Revelation 6; Nehemiah 8:13-9:37; Psalm 101