Today’s Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 4-5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16
Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:
Topic: Honesty
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 139:21-24
21 Do I not
hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have
nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
23 Search me,
O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if
there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
(Ps 139:21-24 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
All of the preceding verses of Psalm 139 speak of God’s
“omni” attributes—
His omniscience:
He knows our thoughts and our words before they are even
uttered (vv. 2-4).
His omnipresence:
There is no place that He is not present; the heavens, the
depths, the womb, even darkness will not hide one from His presence (vv. 7-16).
David seeks to know the thoughts of God; they are “precious”
to him (v. 17). Then we come to verses 21-22. David voices his hatred toward
those who are wicked. To those who hate God, David returns hatred. This
interjection of hatred amidst the extolling of God’s wonderful attributes seems
out of place. David is expressing hatred for his enemies and the enemies of
God, yet we know God is a God of love who commands us to love our enemies.
It seems that verses 21-22 offer a stark example of what
this whole psalm is saying— God knew David’s thoughts and words before they
were penned: “I have nothing but hatred
for them; I count them my enemies.” Yet the key point for David and for us
comes in verses 23-24: Our hearts must first be honest (vv. 19-22 show David’s
honest feelings); but most importantly, our hearts must be willing to be
changed—uncover any offensive way in me and lead me in Your everlasting way (v. 24).
APPLICATION:
God knows my heart and my thoughts. I must be willing to let
Him reveal my anxious thoughts and offensive ways. I must allow my heart to be
softened, molded and changed. May I be such that I may be led by my Lord “in the way everlasting.” –This is what
the attitude of my heart should be: honest and pliable.
PRAYER:
Search me, O God, and know my heart. I declare my
willingness to be led by You even in ways beyond my understanding. Through
Christ. Amen. –AP
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