Who can perceive their own blind spots and shortcomings? Purge me from my hidden faults! Keep Your servant also from smug pride and pompous pretentiousness; do not allow these to have dominion over me!
Then I will be blameless and cleansed of a boundless myriad of transgression.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be delightful upon Your face, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer! -Psalm 119:12-14
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The psalmist, king David, truly was a man after God’s heart. His psalms'/songs' lyrics convey an intimate love affair with God Almighty!
David begins the song with lyrics regarding the beauty of God’s creation (vv.1-6), and the absolute awe of wonder it inspires within him.
David continues in the next section (vv.7-11) with lyrics about the sweetness of God’s law, instruction, command, testimony. This is not love of legal jargon, a legal system or religious ritual, but abounding love for God’s glorious character, goodness, lovingkindness and perfection revealed in and through the Torah story (Hebrew Scripture)! This love draws David closer and closer into sweet relationship with God Almighty daily - the greatest reward imaginable!
In the final section (vv.14-16), David pens lyrics conveying his desire to be purged of everything displeasing to God. David’s goal isn’t self-gratification, but pure and unimpeded worship! David doesn’t merely want to be “acceptable” (v.14) to God Almighty! His innermost longing and deepest desire is a divine purging of all unrighteousness through supernatural transformation into -exactly- who God created him to be! David’s ultimate goal is to bring a smile to God’s face.
We could pray to God as if He were a cosmic Santa Clause - asking Him for more stuff, better circumstances, improved health, or a perpetual cycle of fresh starts ending badly... or we can pray as David did, for a new God-given heart desiring to literally light up God’s face with joy-filled delight!
How will you pray to God Almighty today? For stuff, circumstances, or another do-over? Or will you pray for a longing to bring a smile to God's face? Will you pray to be born-again by the Holy Spirit, recreated in Jesus, transformed by His divine hand, and conformed into the glorious image and likeness of Christ through the gift of faith in The Risen King?
Blessings,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor, PBC
https://www.unstoppablekidsbook.com/
