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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Psalm 50:16-23 (partly from The Message)
God says, Why do you recite my commandments and profess my promises with your lips? You hate discipline. You treat my words like garbage:
    when you see a thief, you join with him,
    adulterers are your friends of choice,
    you harness your tongue to deceit - lying is a serious art form for you,
    you stab your own brother in the back, rip off your little sister.
When you do these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you.
NO!
I accuse you, and lay your wickedness out in plain sight.
Time is up for playing fast and loose with me.
I'm ready to pass sentence, and there's no help in sight!
    ... But as soon as you set your foot on the Way, I'll show you my salvation.


What is this half-hearted love affair I have with half-hearted effort? Too often I really do hate discipline. I tell myself I'm doing enough, that God is fine with it, when I know from his own words that his standard is so much higher than mine.

I find myself living out one of the classic irrational beliefs suggested by Albert Ellis: "I can achieve maximum happiness by inaction, inertia, or by passively enjoying myself." I know that's not true, but I'm like the kid raiding the forbidden cookie jar with his eyes closed. Since my eyes are closed, my mom can't see me. What??

God sees. His eyes are wide open. And yes, God loves me to pieces. But, as C. S. Lewis said: God is good, not safe. And I'm not safe ignoring his call to truthful words and a generous heart. When I choose to hurt everyone else just to take care of me, I'm not safe at all.

Jesus cried out with such sadness, "You who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings ... and you were not willing. Now look, your house is left to you desolate" (Luke 13).

Lord, when I "set my foot on the Way, you will show me your salvation." Humble my selfish thoughts, and turn me around toward giving. Thank you for not ignoring my sin, for speaking up, for holding me accountable to you.



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