Leaning Upon Her Beloved….

Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved?--Song of Solomon 8:5

O Father, may this be said of me!  Who better for me to lean on then You, the One who has the words to eternal life...who better to cleave unto than unto Your Son who makes roads in the wilderness and rivers in the deserts.  Help me, O God, to hearken and consider, to incline my ear to You and allow You to be my perfect Peace...my all in all.  Let me not trust in man but in You, my Father, who hears me, helps me and fights my battles.  You are my Hope, my Maker, my Husband, my Redeemer and my Friend...You, Father, are my God over everything.  You place Your banner of love over me and cover me in Your righteousness. 

You are my King who greatly desires me...You are my Lord and I worship You.  I am your beloved, leaning on your bosom, and You are mine.  Your grace is sufficient for me and Your strength is made perfect in weakness. You who make all things new...You who are my strength in weakness...You who brings beauty from ashes....You who can make my darkest night light about me and my greatest grief a spring...it is YOU who are my God! 

You, my mighty God, are in the very midst of me!  You will save me...You will rejoice over me with gladness.  You will quiet me with Your love and with singing You will "joy" over me.

Without Love, I am Nothing…

 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail;—1 Corinthians 13:4-8

These words from 1 Corinthians 13 always have the effect of blowing my pride out of the water, so to speak. They make me collapse on the inside because they confront me with my insufficiency.  That, however, is such a good thing! I AM INSUFFICIENT!  My God, thankfully, is not and He is my Helper. 

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.—2 Corinthians 9:8

To be a Christian is to first and foremost love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Love is the bond of perfection. Love is the debt that is always owed.  It is the one thing “we” can do to fulfill the law completely.   As believers, love for Christ must be the motivating force behind all that we do and all that we say. 

It would be great if this kind of self-sacrificing love were our natural response toward others. Unfortunately, it is not. In fact, we don't even often have loving feelings toward those around us. Most of the time our thoughts are on how they can love us. Since their thoughts are probably on themselves also, we are at an impasse. Biblical love, however, is a command. Our response therefore, is a matter of obedience.

As was said earlier, in and of ourselves this kind of love is impossible.  With God, however, all things are possible. When we believe, His love is poured out in our hearts by His Spirit who now dwells in us.  It is ONLY by HIS love that we can love others as He loves us.  Without His love we are nothing and can do nothing good.  

If I feel myself going awry during the day, it is ALWAYS helpful for me to remember love...to pray and surrender what “I WANT” and allow the Spirit of God to do what I cannot - love the precious people around me with His love.  

Beloved, by His Spirit love one another fervently; love never fails because love is of God.   When we walk in love, we walk in His perfect will and shine like lights in a dark world.  When we walk in love, we also walk effectively, not only temporally but also eternally.  I love thinking on that.  Loving others with God’s love has eternal consequences.   God’s love reaches beyond this world and into eternity.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.—1 Corinthians 13:2

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.—Romans 13:8-10

Hear the Voice of Truth…

 The Beloved

1 Behold, you are fair, my love!

Behold, you are fair!

You have dove's eyes behind your veil.

Your hair is like a flock of goats,

Going down from Mount Gilead.

2 Your teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep

Which have come up from the washing,

Every one of which bears twins,

And none is barren among them.

3 Your lips are like a strand of scarlet,

And your mouth is lovely.

Your temples behind your veil

Are like a piece of pomegranate.

4 Your neck is like the tower of David,

Built for an armory,

On which hang a thousand bucklers,

All shields of mighty men.

5 Your two breasts are like two fawns,

Twins of a gazelle,

Which feed among the lilies.

6 Until the day breaks

And the shadows flee away,

I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh

And to the hill of frankincense.

7 You are all fair, my love,

And there is no spot in you.—Song of Solomon 4:1-7

Beloved…Hear the words of your Bridegroom, Jesus, as He praises Your beauty and extolls your graces. You, as a believer, are His lovely bride and His words to you are truth.  Hold them in your heart and rest in His perfect love.  

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.—Ephesians 1:3-6

So often we listen to the self-serving and fickle voices of those around us or worse, the ugly, condemning voices in our own heads that the voice of God is drowned out and we become discouraged and disheartened.  Beloved…Hear Him!  He is the Voice of Truth.  Fill your mind, heart and soul with His precious word. It will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. 

Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One, And Come Away…

To My Precious Daughters..

I love the Song of Solomon...it is one of my favorites.  People laugh when they hear me say that, because there are so many interpretations to this book...some see it as an erotic love poem...others as the love between the king and his maiden and there are many viewpoints in between.  I see it as a beautiful picture of the love that Jesus has for me personally and corporately for His Bride, the church.  

With that said I was reading  the Song of Solomon  and came to chapter 2. Read the following verses as a love letter from the Lord or as if He is outside your bedroom window speaking to you before the dawn of a new day. 

My beloved spoke, and said to me: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away.   For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away!  "O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your face is lovely." Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.  My beloved is mine, and I am his. He feeds his flock among the lilies. Until the day breaks And the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, And be like a gazelle Or a young stag Upon the mountains of Bether. 

These verses always speak to my heart about what is truly important and how I need to give Jesus the pre-eminence in my life.  Jesus wants to spend time with me.  I am His love, His fair one, the one He died for...He is asking me to come away with Him.  He wants to see my face and hear my voice.  My king is outside my window before daybreak and is calling me to come...Other things in life (the little foxes) try to get in the way of my time with Him.  But He says, spend time with me, this is your all.  Don't stay in bed and leave me outside...come with Me.  You will need my grace and mercy.  You will need my guidance and my love today.  There are things I need to tell you.  Come away with me my love.

If only we would heed these words of Jesus...to come away with Him and let Him speak to our hearts.  But many times we roll over in bed and tell Him that yes, we are His, but we will meet Him later...you know...after the sun is up...at a less ungodly hour...or at a less inconvenient time. If you read further, what you will find is that as the day starts she finds that she needs Him and searches for Him in the city streets and in the broad ways...but she found him not. She had missed the moment. As soon as she does find Him, however, she takes Him to the closest place available to be with Him and would not let Him go. 

May we never not hear and obey His voice when He calls us to come away and be with Him.  May we put aside the business of living for a moment and focus on Him when His Spirit speaks to our hearts. Put nothing before Jesus and even your dark times He will make light about you. 

Love

Mom

Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters…

 Cast your bread upon the waters,

For you will find it after many days.

2 Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,

For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

3 If the clouds are full of rain,

They empty themselves upon the earth;

And if a tree falls to the south or the north,

In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.

4 He who observes the wind will not sow,

And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

5 As you do not know what is the way of the wind,

Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,

So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.

6 In the morning sow your seed,

And in the evening do not withhold your hand;

For you do not know which will prosper,

Either this or that,

Or whether both alike will be good.—Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

I love these verses!  So full of encouragement, wisdom and good advice.  

Cast your bread upon the waters,

For you will find it after many days.

Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,

For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

Freely you have received, freely give.  Don’t grow weary in doing good for in due season you will reap if you don’t lose heart. We can never out give God.  He is a debtor to no man. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

3 If the clouds are full of rain,

They empty themselves upon the earth;

And if a tree falls to the south or the north,

In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.

4 He who observes the wind will not sow,

And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

Give generously…give often. It is so easy to put off doing good.  There is always a reason we can come up with as to why we shouldn’t…always a concern or worry for our own future. If we think like this we will never give because the time will never be right. So let us do whatever the Lord has placed on our heart and do it now.  

5 As you do not know what is the way of the wind,

Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,

So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.

6 In the morning sow your seed,

And in the evening do not withhold your hand;

For you do not know which will prosper,

Either this or that,

Or whether both alike will be good.

None of us can even come close to understanding the ways of God.  We, as Job says, see the mere edges of His ways. Beloved…Stay the course…trust God. Keep giving. Sow in the morning and in the evening, do not withhold your hand.  Give not only of your wealth but give of your heart.  Keep sharing the love and grace of God with those around you.  Be faithful…be obedient. Not only will it be return to you pressed down and overflowing in the day of your own trouble, but you will be laying up treasure in heaven as well.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.—Galatians 6:7-10

His Lovingkindness Toward Me is Great….

 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him— Psalm 103:11

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.—1 Corinthians 10:24

This morning as I read through my readings, I saw the above two verses as beautiful complements. I CAN put others first.  I don’t NEED to seek my own interests or well-being. Because I am the Lord’s, the rule in my life can ALWAYS be others over self.  Why?  

Because my God’s mercy…

His lovingkindness…

His favor…

His goodness…

His faithfulness…

His steadfast love…

IS GREAT TOWARD ME!

I do not have to think on me.  I don’t have to protect my own interests.  He already does.  My God has got me covered.  He cares for me.  I can trust Him. He will not withhold from me any good thing.  

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

The LORD will give grace and glory;

No good thing will He withhold

From those who walk uprightly.

O LORD of hosts,

Blessed is the man who trusts in You!—Psalm 84:11-12

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD

Forever.—Psalm 23:6

The Lord is Compassionate and Gracious…

 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.—Psalm 103:1-5

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.… Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. —Psalm 103: 8–11, 13–14

Sometimes life can go really fast and feel like it is spinning out of control. Decisions and choices seem monumental in the light of what our actual future could look like.  Proverbs 3:5-6 is my go to in “normal times” but there are times in life where my steps falter and my faith slips. Panic attempts to take hold and I desperately need to know God is there and is holding me up.  Last night threatened to be one of those times.  

The Spirit of God used the verses above to remind me of God’s sovereign care and brought much comfort. He who has redeemed my life from true destruction and everlasting terror, was with me and on my side.  As my heart read those words, my compassionate Father’s care for me became evident.  His peace enveloped me and I slept.  Truly when anxieties assault, His consolations bring joy and peace to my soul. The LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—

From whence comes my help?

2 My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel

Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;

The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.—Psalm 121

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;

And let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns."—1 Chronicles 16:31

Living Satisfied…

 18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. 19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.—Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: 2 A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity, and it is an evil affliction.

3 If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he— 4 for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. 5 Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man, 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice—but has not seen goodness. Do not all go to one place?—Ecclesiastes 6:1-6

Father…write these verses on my heart.  Oh, help me to live accepting, thankful and satisfied with the gifts You have sovereignly blessed me with in the here and now. Train my eyes to see what is good and right in my present moment and not what is wrong. Help me to be a good steward of my manifold blessings in Your Son.  Life passes so quickly…help me to not spend it looking backward or forward but in Your perfect will for me, moment by precious moment. 

WHEN IN DOUBT...SHUT YOUR MOUTH

Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. --1 Corinthians 8:1-3

To My Daughters,

Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. This is such a wonderful principal to apply in all the decisions we make.  The bible says that without love we are nothing and whatever we might do...even those things that look good and right from the outside are in vain.  Love is always needed to see the whole picture.
  
Knowledge leads to pride, thinking we know better we run ramrod over other people's beliefs and feelings. We run ahead of God and their conscience and weaken their faith.  In fact, a know-it-all really just advertises his ignorance because someone who really does know a lot also realizes how very little he really does know.   Knowledge, Paul said, puffs up, but love edifies.

Today, as in the Corinthian church there are many situations in our lives that are not black and white.  Thou shalt not kill...pretty black and white.  Do not be drunk with wine...but a little is good for the stomach.  Not so black and white. How much can you drink then and still be in God's will???  Here is where the rubber really meets the road.  Paul says not to use just your knowledge in such matters but use your love.  Consider not only what is lawful for you...but what would be the best for others.

 Chapter 8 of 1 Corinthians speaks to the larger issue of our liberty in Christ.  Paul urges us not to put a stumbling block in front of our weaker brethren. He is speaking in regard to the eating of meat that was sacrificed to idols.  I will speak to the drinking of alcohol...an example that is easier for us to understand in today's world.   Having a glass of wine in front of a brother who has struggled with alcohol abuse in the past is not loving.  He might use your liberty in Christ to go against his conscience, be emboldened to drink and could, therefore, be adversely affected by your liberty. 

Each one of us have weak areas where it is easy for Satan to gain a foothold.  For one it might be alcohol, for another lust, for another greed...I could go on but I will spare you.  I might have a personal conviction that I will not do this or that because I know the end of doing this particular thing would lead me down a path where I know I am weak and sin would most likely result.  It would not be a good thing for me to go against my conscience in this. It is kind of similar to someone who is on a diet and going against their conscience eat a small piece of cake.  Harmless, right...a few spins on the exercise bike and the effects are mitigated.  Unfortunately, food is a weak area for them and because they now feel they have blown their diet consume the entire cake.  NOT SO EASILY MITIGATED.  I do not want to do this to another brother or sister in Christ. God places various convictions on our hearts to hedge us behind and before from ourselves...from our own flesh.  Talking someone out of a conviction  that God has placed on their heart is never a good thing.  

How do we know then when to bear with the infirmities of our brethren in love and when to speak the truth to them in love.   (notice that the word love is used in both instances...love is always needed)  Here is what I do...I pray...I ask God what to do in all the different situations I face.  I ask for His wisdom which is peaceable, pure, gentle and willing to yield.   And here is the most important part of my message...WHEN IN DOUBT...I SHUT MY MOUTH.  I trust that the Lord will lead them...just as He does me.  

A relationship with Jesus is moment by moment surrender to the prompting of His Spirit in your life. It is not a set of rules and regulations.  It is asking Him what to do and how to handle each situation you face.  Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.  Put Him first.  Love those around you with the love He has shed abroad in your heart.  Immerse yourself in His word.  It will right your thinking, align your will with His, and correct what misunderstandings you might have.  God will guide you in all situations and if He is leading you will be walking in love and building up the faith of those around you. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths.--  Proverbs 3:5-6

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.--1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Love
Mom

Wisdm’s Cost…

 For in much wisdom is much grief,

And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.—Ecclesiastes 2:18

The way I see it there are two sides to this verse.

The first is that it is very true that the more godly wisdom you have, the more you will understand the world around you and the more you will see how very far it falls short of perfection. Evil becomes evident and sorrow for how things are becomes your constant companion. 

On the other hand, this same sorrow fills you with a holy longing for the Lord’s presence and for heaven where there will only be perfection continually.  Not only that, we who believe have the Spirit of God dwelling in us by whom we can cry out Abba, Father.  He is our strength, our song, our shield and our exceedingly great reward.  From Him and through Him we get the help we need to see us through this world and into the next. 

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."—Revelation 21:1-5

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will rest in hope.

10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

11 You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.—Psalm 16:9-11

As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;

I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness—Psalm 17:15

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.—Romans 8:18

Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.—Romans 8:23-25

Praying Like Jesus…

 And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.—Job 42:10

I have to confess that this…one of the last verses in the book of Job…stopped me dead in my tracks. Do I pray for those who are not “for” me?   My answer was a “qualified” yes.  I do bring them before the Lord daily, but sadly my heart is often not in it.  I pray for the people who ARE “for” me with fervency, but how often do I ask the Spirit of God to help me to pray for my enemies with the same fervor?  My prayers for my enemies usually come at the end of my prayer time and are half-hearted at best.  I do want the Lord to restore my losses as He did Job’s, but what I want even more is His love poured out in my heart for those people that I don’t want to intercede for.  

God’s desire is that none should perish, but that all should come to eternal life in His Son.  He died for me when I was yet His enemy.  If I truly want to be conformed into His image, than I must do likewise.  A servant is not above His master.  

Father…Give me Your heart of love for those that hurt me daily and live toward me as if my heart were impervious to pain. Help me to intercede for them as my Jesus does for me.  Help me to pray for them Your richest blessings. 

12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,

And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,

Because He poured out His soul unto death,

And He was numbered with the transgressors,

And He bore the sin of many,

And made intercession for the transgressors.—Isaiah 53:12

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.—Romans 8:31-34

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.—Matthew 5:44-48

Living in the Light of the Glory of God….

 1 I will sing of mercy and justice;

To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.

2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way.

Oh, when will You come to me?

I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;

I hate the work of those who fall away;

It shall not cling to me.

4 A perverse heart shall depart from me;

I will not know wickedness.

5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor,

Him I will destroy;

The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart,

Him I will not endure.

6 My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land,

That they may dwell with me;

He who walks in a perfect way,

He shall serve me.

7 He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house;

He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.

8 Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land,

That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD.—Psalm 101

In verses 1-4 of Psalm 101 David expresses beautifully his personal commitment to live righteously before God and keep His statutes. He speaks further in verses 5-8 about the lives of those who live in his kingdom. I am going to focus on the personal side here.  

I gotta confess that I shy away from speaking with such a firm resolve to live righteously as David does here, because I know that my own miserable reality is failure.  I do want the same things that David desires for himself in these verses, but, no matter how firm my resolve is, “I” fail.  

Here is the thing though...only Jesus fulfilled all of these perfectly. I AM insufficient to the task, but He is not. I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  I won’t get it perfect on this side of heaven, but each day as I behold the glory of my Lord, I will be transformed a little bit more into His image.  So today...like David does here...I will purpose in my heart to live perfectly before the Lord my God. He will perform my vow for me and perfect what concerns me.  

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.—2 Corinthians 3:18