Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 26:1-8
Ps 26:1-8
1 Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. 2 Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; 3 for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. 4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; 5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD, 7 proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. 8 I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells.
Acts 23:1
1 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, "My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day."
This is the same Paul who said he had died with Christ and he no longer lived but Christ lived in him. But Christ living in him was the opposite of his former life when he actually persecuted those who served Christ. In fact, on the road to Damascus, Jesus appeared to him and asked “why do you persecute me?” He later says all of his goodness and law keeping were counted as rubbish and on another occasion, he described himself as the chief of sinners.
This is an example of humble devotion to God. He sought to serve the Lord with all his heart, soul and mind but realized that he came up short many times. It may have been because he was wrong in his understanding of what God expected from him or it may have been his weakness and giving in to sin. Either way, he failed God in doing so but he realized that his standing with God was not what he accomplished on his own but was based on the grace of God and the blood of Jesus that was given on his behalf on the cross.
We need not despair when we see we have failed God. Yes, it is serous and must never be taken lightly but we can be forgiven. We are promised that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. When we walk in his light, his blood continues to cleanse us from all sin. We are his and he lives in us.
Thank you God for your love for me, for your compassion and your grace shown in giving your Son to die on my behalf. Thank you for the fellowship this provides me with you and with Jesus Christ. I am forever grateful to be your child and to know that my sins have been forgiven. Keep me from ever using your grace as license to continue in sin but help me abhor sin, even as you abhor it. Give me a pure heart and a genuine commitment to always do your will. Thank you for others who serve you and encourage me so much. Use me to lead others to you and to help others be faithful to you. I pray in the name of Jesus my Lord.
Robert
