Your Identity in Christ
I have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God without blemish or defect.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart O God ~ King David
Pondering Point
In Psalm 51, David perceives a pure heart as coming through the work of God. From this vantage point, purity of heart is gifted or gained by grace from God. As Christians familiar with Ephesians 2:8-9, we know that this gift comes in the person and work of Jesus. We have, as the identity statement above affirms, been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God without blemish or defect. The unblemished Lamb of God offers Himself for us, and as Paul describes this to the Ephesians 5:25-27:
Ephesians 5:5:25-27
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Prayer
Stop and think about the truth that, as part of the church, you are presented by Jesus to your Heavenly Father without stain or blemish. Rejoice in this and then give thanks to God the Father for Jesus.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God
Psalm 119:97-104 13th letter: Mem (מ)
- Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long. - Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies. - I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes. - I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts. - I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word. - I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me. - How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth! - I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
Read the verses of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
2 Corinthians 8:7
But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
The Promise
Psalm 128:1
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
Pondering Point
According to our writer, God’s Word can make a person wise beyond their years… with great insight.