Page 21 - Living light - The Psalms

Friday June 21 - Holy Judge, who hates what is evil ...your adversaries misuse your name... I count them my enemies.
Psalm 139:20-22
Here is an abrupt switch from spiritual reflection about God’s loving care to a clarion call to action! Verse 18 suggests that the writer fell asleep and reawakened thinking about the reality of how evil forces in the world constantly set themselves against the Lord. The life of King David, who wrote this psalm, involved one battle after another. He fought the giant Goliath and many enemies of Israel, and struggled against jealous King Saul, and tragically, even his own son Absalom. Because his reign involved so much violence and death, God would not allow David to build the Temple in Jerusalem but gave that privilege to his son Solomon. But David was still described as ‘a man after God’s own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14) and his outburst against ‘the wicked... bloodthirsty... those who speak of you with evil intent’ (Psalm 139:19-20) arises not out of spite but holy zeal for God’s name and a desire for his kingdom to come. David wanted nothing to do with anything that opposed the Spirit of God.
In the Message translation of 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 Paul gives a strong command to believers. ‘Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands?’ This is a challenge to us – how to be ‘in the world but not of it’ (John 17:14-16).
Father, please help me to be faithful within our secular culture that largely opposes godly truths and values. Amen.
Sat June 22 - Spirit of Truth who makes me whole ...test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive
way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Anyone who has undergone a CT or MRI scan will remember having to lie super-still, and endure disturbing noises and feelings of claustrophobia as the machines search for signs of disease and injury. We are fortunate in this country to have access to such technologies that can inform doctors of any otherwise unseen threats to our health.
Hebrews 4:12 describes an infinitely more powerful scanner, ‘the word of God, alive and powerful. Sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow...’ But just as we have to obey human radiographers’ instructions, let us come to God with humble trust. I wonder when we last prayed something along the lines of today’s text, for him to reveal any offensive ways in our lives. The Holy Spirit’s passionate desire is for us to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus, finally becoming the precious child the Father created us to be. He probes the depths of our hearts and speaks, whether through the Bible, sermons, writing, music, someone’s influence, advice and example, or another way. The Holy Spirit takes such prayers seriously, and like a scanning machine, exposes sinful attitudes we perhaps never realised were even there! But he knows us completely, is infinitely patient and gentle – so let us trust him to ‘lead us in the way everlasting’ and discover the wonders of his eternal love.
Loving, holy Lord, please help me to single-mindedly follow Jesus and always be prepared for you to test my heart. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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