Searching deep within

Psalm 7:9 – “… for you, the righteous God, look deep within the hearts of men/women and examine all their motives and their thoughts.” (Living Bible)

The Psalmist reminds us that it is only the Spirit of God that can penetrate deep into our hearts and souls, searching out our inner thoughts and motives.

I still maintain that one of the bravest prayers we can ever pray is:

"Search me, O God and know my heart." - Psalm 139:23

Living in Grace

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6 - God hears our cries

I am convinced that god hears our cries for mercy and grace. This is the essence of the easter story, is it not? God hears the struggles of humanity, realises our deep need for a saviour and so sends us the best god has - his son. 

This gift reveals to us the nature of our god. And so when david cries out to god in psalm 6, we look back at his song and say to david - "god has heard your cries. God has heard my cries. Hallelujah!"

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
² Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;
    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
³ My soul is in deep anguish.    How long, Lord, how long? - Psalm 6:1-3

Living in Grace
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The chase is wild

King David finds himself in a spot of trouble and he knows that the only one who can save him is God. So, in his distress, he pins his ears back and he runs to the Father. God will be his place of safety - his refuge - his haven.

"God! God! I am running to you for dear life;
    the chase is wild.If they catch me, I’m finished:" - Psalm 7:1 (Message)

When we are feeling a little deflated and lost or when we feel as if our enemies are out to get us, where do we turn? Do we run to God for dear life, experiencing the wild chase or do we give up?

May you run into the safe arms of Jesus today.

Living in Grace
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Knocking off the rough edges

“You knock off our rough edges.” – Psalm 7:10 (Message)

None of us is perfect, no matter how hard we pretend to be.

God knows all this about us, even before we turn to him and God is still willing to accept us as we are. However, there are many ‘rough edges’ that God wants to help remove from our hearts, if we allow him to do this. 

I am not sure if you know what these rough edges are, but I am sure that others would be happy to tell you. As you spend a few minutes in prayer today, why don’t you ask God to reveal to you these rough parts of your faith and then allow the Holy Spirit to do some ‘smoothing’ of your heart.

Prayer for the day:

"Lord, help me to remember that I am not perfect and that you are still busy shaping and molding my life. Teach me not to resist the work of your Spirit as you knock off the rough edges of my life. Amen."

Living in Grace

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