WBC Daily Devotions May 16-20, 2011

Daily Devotionals for May 16-20

As we continue in our "Present Help in Present Trouble" message series during Sunday worship, throughout this week we are focusing on two psalms of David -- Psalm 8 and Psalm 51 -- which redirect us from our focus on the lowly and sinful aspects of our lives to a life reflecting the majesty of God and His power over sin.

We thank Jim Goetz, Chairman of our Board of Elders, for preparing this week's devotional thoughts.

MONDAY, MAY 16

1LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

in the heavens.

2Through the praise of children and infants

you have established a stronghold against your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

3When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

4what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

5You have made them a little lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory and honor.

6You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet:

7all flocks and herds,

and the animals of the wild,

8the birds in the sky,

and the fish in the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

9LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Most of us like being "in the know." The question is, what do we "know"? Where do we find ourselves focusing? Often we end up being consumed by the lowly things of life, including our own imperfections and sin.

The first half of this Psalm encourages us to lift our focus much higher! In this passage, David shifts his attention to the majesty of God and His creation. He implores us to consider the reflection of God's majesty and glory in the heavens, which He created. In the midst of our daily chaos, do we stop to consider that pure wonder of the heavens? The physics and beauty are beyond our comprehension! Consider just the sheer magnitude of it.

According to National Geographic, there are so many galaxies that have been detected that it has been said they are about "as common as blades of grass in a meadow." God's majesty and glory is reflected in the heavens. If He can handle the physics of the universe, can He handle the physical and emotional issues of our lives?

All of us can use a little more majesty in our lives. Knowing God -- making our relationship with Him our primary focus -- brings us into the realm of his majesty and glory. As J. I. Packer says in his book, Knowing God, "Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord."

Today, focus on the majesty of God by meditating on His Word and considering the glory of the heavens. Reflect on the words of Jeremiah 9:23 and 24:

This is what the LORD says:

"Let not the wise boast of their wisdom

or the strong boast of their strength

or the rich boast of their riches,

but let the one who boasts boast about this:

that they have the understanding to know me,

that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,

justice and righteousness on earth,

for in these I delight,"

declares the LORD.

Father,
Help me to turn my thoughts -- my attention -- upward today. I want to know You, in all Your majesty and sovereign power. Draw my thoughts away from my circumstances, my failures, my fears, my frustrations, and my plans and schemes. I want You to be the center of my life today, and the One in Whom I place my confidence and trust.
Amen

TUESDAY, MAY 17

Today we are continuing our reflections on Psalm 8, a psalm that redirects us from our focus on the lowly and sinful aspects of our lives to live lives that reflect the majesty of God and His power over sin. Today, we're reading from the NIV ©2011, but feel free to use the translation of your choice.

1LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

in the heavens.

2Through the praise of children and infants

you have established a stronghold against your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

3When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

4what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

5You have made them a little lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory and honor.

6You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet:

7all flocks and herds,

and the animals of the wild,

8the birds in the sky,

and the fish in the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

9LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

The second half of this Psalm leads us to focus on another great reflection of God's majesty and glory -- us. Is that how you feel most days? Do you feel "crowned with glory and honor"? Do you feel power over the earth -- like "everything is under your feet"?

Not feeling it? Well, that may be because of the impact of sin in our world and in our own lives. But the reality is that each one of us is gloriously designed by God. The truth is that God created us in His image, just "a little lower than the angels." All of us know that we have power over some things, like our pets. But do we really believe that we have power over the earth? Power over sin?

The answer is yes. When we are fully surrendered to God and filled with His Holy Spirit, we are "in tune" with His design for our lives -- and then we reflect His glory.

That truth is affirmed in 2 Corinthians 3:18, where we read, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

The Holy Spirit is transforming us into the likeness of Jesus "with ever-increasing glory." This can come through pain, through the encouragement of the Word, and through many other circumstances -- but the Holy Spirit is our personal transformer. The Greek word translated 'transformed' in that verse (metamorphoo) is the same Greek word used in Matthew and Mark's Gospels, where it says that Jesus went up the mountain and was transfigured (metamorphoo) before them. That means that God is transfiguring us, by His Spirit, so we can radiate His glory on earth -- just as His Son did. We get more of God's glory by being in His presence and talking to Him.

Go to God now, and ask him to up your "glory factor" through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Father,
Thank You for how much You love me and how grand Your plan is for my life here on earth and in eternity. Make me uncomfortable with anything less than Your plan to transform me -- to change me -- so that my life reflects YOUR glory. Use this truth of Your Word to give me a clear picture of Who You are and who You have created me and redeemed me to be.
Amen

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18

This week we are focusing on two Psalms which redirect us from our focus on the lowly and sinful aspects of our lives to a life reflecting the majesty of God and His power over sin. Today we look at Psalm 51. The introduction to this psalm in the text reads: For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

2Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

4Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge.

5Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

10Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

so that sinners will turn back to you.

14Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

you who are God my Savior,

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15Open my lips, Lord,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart

you, God, will not despise.

18May it please you to prosper Zion,

to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Have you ever really messed up? Has someone else really messed you up? Sin is a terrible thing, messing up God's creation each and every day. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23 affirms. Sin is the "anti-glory" in our lives, and we all struggle with it -- our own sin, the sin of others, sin in our past and sin in our present.

In Psalm 51, David finally deals with his sin. He was an adulterer. He was a murderer. He tried to bury it, but like all of us, he discovered that, "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy," (Proverbs 28:13). After being confronted by someone who loved him, David finally deals with his "anti-glory." So what was his first step? He falls before God and confesses it, pleading for mercy. He names his sins and pleads with God to forgive him -- to clean him up. It's important to remember that confession is more than saying "I'm sorry." It is acknowledging the hurt, the separation, and the disaster that is "sin."

In this Psalm we read, in David's words, the three steps he took in dealing with his sin. We'll look at the other two over the next couple of days, but let's stop for today on the first -- the hardest -- confessing.

Do you need to deal with God regarding some sin today? Do you need to rid yourself of your "anti-glory"? Take the first step. Run to God and confess it. Plead for His mercy, which He will not withhold!

Father,
I want to be free of the sin baggage that weighs me down. Today I need Your mercy. Forgive me for the sin keeps me from You and keeps me from being the person You created and saved me to be.
Amen

THURSDAY, MAY 19

Today we return to Psalm 51 and the second step in David's recovery and restoration from sin.

1Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

2Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

4Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge.

5Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

10Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

so that sinners will turn back to you.

14Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

you who are God my Savior,

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15Open my lips, Lord,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart

you, God, will not despise.

18May it please you to prosper Zion,

to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous

in burnt offerings offered whole;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

David really messed up. He committed adultery and he committed murder. But then he did something very smart. He decided to get right with God. His first step was confession. So what was his second step? In today's passage, you see that his second step was to ask God to create in him a "new heart."

So what does that really mean? When the Bible talks about the heart, it means the center of our will, our mind, and our passion. Talk about extreme makeover! David needed to have his will, his mind, and his passion reformed. Only God can do that! Think about this. Our heart will always have something in it. The question is what occupies it.

In this Psalm, David gets rid of his old sinful heart through confession. But now it is empty. So before the sin rushes back in, David asks God to fill the vacuum. Did you ever stop to think that the whole universe is a vacuum? Just as God filled the vacuum of the universe with His creation, He can fill the vacuum of your heart with His mercy, His love, and His power. In short, He can fill you with His glory. Take this second step. Ask God to fill your heart with His glory. Plead for this. Get your glory back!

Father,
I praise You for being a God of mercy. Thank You for Your love for me -- in spite of all the ways I fail! Today I invite you to clean me and fill me with the kind of fresh newness that only You can create. Fill any empty places in my life with Your mercy, love, and power, so that my words and actions and relationships will reflect Your presence in my life and will bring glory to You.
Amen

FRIDAY, MAY 20

Today we are returning to Psalm 51, and looking at the third step in David's recovery and restoration from sin.

1Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

2Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

4Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge.

5Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

10Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

so that sinners will turn back to you.

14Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

you who are God my Savior,

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15Open my lips, Lord,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart

you, God, will not despise.

18May it please you to prosper Zion,

to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,

in burnt offerings offered whole;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

So what is David's third step in his recovery from the devastating impact of sin in his life? He got back to his purpose in life -- to bring glory to God. His sin was gone! His heart was renewed! Now it was time to move out for God. So what did he do? He asked God to open his mouth "to declare His praise" (verse 15) among the nations.

And God did it! David, with his renewed heart for God, became a spokesperson for God. He praised God and he told others of the wonders of God. He wrote Psalms. He led the people in worship. He was a worship leader!

He fully appreciated what God had done and wanted everyone to know it. Do we fully appreciate what God has done? Have we asked for forgiveness? Have we asked for a "new heart"? Are we praising God today? Have we told anyone of His greatness?

Get your glory back. Let's make today a day of new beginnings!

Father,
Thank you that I can bring my sin to You, lay it before You, and leave it there. Thank You that You want to restore me, clean me, heal the brokenness and hurt in my life. And I praise You that You not only want to heal me, but You also want to use me to bring glory to Your name. Let David's prayer be my prayer today as I use the words of his psalm to express my heart toward You.
Amen