Week of Monday August 19 – August 25
Serving the One Who Knows - Man as Chaplain
O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? ... Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! - Psalm 139:1-7, 23-24 ESV
We live in a surveillance society—cameras are everywhere. Whether driving down a city street or walking up to someone’s door, chances are you are on camera. That’s not even counting the satellite, drone, and digital capabilities in the arsenal of our security agencies. There is the potential that we could be watched, identified, and even intimate details of our activities and words discovered through surveillance. Although some people try to find ways to avoid man-made surveillance, none of us can escape the surveillance of Almighty God.
The psalmist, David, understood well that the God of heaven knew everything there was to know about him. He also understood that this could be a good thing that keeps him close to his Creator, leading him on a God-honoring path in life. As men of God who desire to glorify God and leave a lasting legacy, we must never lose sight of the vision and reach of our Heavenly Father. As God searches and tries us, we know that His design is to lead us “in the way everlasting.” Yet that requires us repenting of our sin and a relentless pursuit of godliness.
Renowned Pastor Robert Murray M’Cheyne (1813-1843) wrote to a new minister: “In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.” When God has access and full authority in the heart of a man of God, hell becomes nervous!
What David understood and expressed in inspired Scripture, we must never forget. Being reminded of God’s complete awareness of who we are and what we think, say, and do should shape our hearts and minds toward holiness. As we read in Psalm 24:3-6, “clean hands and a pure heart” give us access to the presence of God, and we understand that these only come from being washed by the blood of Jesus when we are saved. Yet we need that daily cleansing as well. We need the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and point out any waywardness so we can confess it to the Lord.
Once we are forgiven and cleansed of sin, God can use and bless us in ways we can hardly begin to comprehend. Imparting this timeless truth can add value and inspiration to our families today and the generations that follow. The One you serve with all your heart, mind, and soul may become the One those you love and influence will also be drawn to serve. Men, we must lead our homes well!
- When was the last time you asked the Spirit of God to search your heart and life in a way that helped you adjust your Christian walk?
- Are you encouraging those you love and lead to submit to the Spirit’s “searching and trying”?
- Ask God to point out any hidden sin and rebellion, and when He does, confess and turn from it, and ask Him to guide you into the path of godliness.
Serving the One Who Knows - Man as Chaplain
O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? ... Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! - Psalm 139:1-7, 23-24 ESV
We live in a surveillance society—cameras are everywhere. Whether driving down a city street or walking up to someone’s door, chances are you are on camera. That’s not even counting the satellite, drone, and digital capabilities in the arsenal of our security agencies. There is the potential that we could be watched, identified, and even intimate details of our activities and words discovered through surveillance. Although some people try to find ways to avoid man-made surveillance, none of us can escape the surveillance of Almighty God.
The psalmist, David, understood well that the God of heaven knew everything there was to know about him. He also understood that this could be a good thing that keeps him close to his Creator, leading him on a God-honoring path in life. As men of God who desire to glorify God and leave a lasting legacy, we must never lose sight of the vision and reach of our Heavenly Father. As God searches and tries us, we know that His design is to lead us “in the way everlasting.” Yet that requires us repenting of our sin and a relentless pursuit of godliness.
Renowned Pastor Robert Murray M’Cheyne (1813-1843) wrote to a new minister: “In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.” When God has access and full authority in the heart of a man of God, hell becomes nervous!
What David understood and expressed in inspired Scripture, we must never forget. Being reminded of God’s complete awareness of who we are and what we think, say, and do should shape our hearts and minds toward holiness. As we read in Psalm 24:3-6, “clean hands and a pure heart” give us access to the presence of God, and we understand that these only come from being washed by the blood of Jesus when we are saved. Yet we need that daily cleansing as well. We need the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and point out any waywardness so we can confess it to the Lord.
Once we are forgiven and cleansed of sin, God can use and bless us in ways we can hardly begin to comprehend. Imparting this timeless truth can add value and inspiration to our families today and the generations that follow. The One you serve with all your heart, mind, and soul may become the One those you love and influence will also be drawn to serve. Men, we must lead our homes well!
- When was the last time you asked the Spirit of God to search your heart and life in a way that helped you adjust your Christian walk?
- Are you encouraging those you love and lead to submit to the Spirit’s “searching and trying”?
- Ask God to point out any hidden sin and rebellion, and when He does, confess and turn from it, and ask Him to guide you into the path of godliness.