Daily Reading: Psalm 40:5-10 New Living Translation (NLT)
5
O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.
6
You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand[a]—
you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
7
Then I said, “Look, I have come.
As is written about me in the Scriptures:
8
I take joy in doing your will, my God,
for your instructions are written on my heart.”
9
I have told all your people about your justice.
I have not been afraid to speak out,
as you, O Lord, well know.
10
I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the great assembly
of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Has God ever made you listen until you had an “aha” moment regarding His heart for your soul? King David did. Humans who want to know God have an inclination or desire to experience and please God with what they do for Him. In fact, we actually think our sacrificial activity and busyness is producing favor with God. Yet, it is God’s greatest desire for us to get quiet so He can freely drawn near to us. That means we must let our defensive walls down and trust His love to renew us through His Spirit. When God draws near, His holy presence presses on our souls. We sense that pressure. Then, He patiently waits for an invitation to whisper His word to our hearts in order to perform wonderful deeds of salvation in our souls (renewing our minds through His Word, turning our wills toward Kingdom living, and healing, strengthening our emotions).
God desires for us to enjoy doing His will; to allow His wondrous works of salvation to manifest in our lives so we can reveal His love and faithfulness to others. That way when we open our mouths, our lives match the message. Enjoy the journey with God, today!
Prayer: Father, I’m beginning to understand what You intend in making me an instrument of grace. I offer myself to Your wonderful works and deeds for my ongoing salvation as a follower of Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.