Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 18-19; Acts 13
Devotional Thought:
In Psalm 18, David is rejoicing over God’s grace in making him king over all of Israel. This prayer is rehearsed for us as well in 2 Samuel 22. David demonstrates his deep devoted love for God in this prayer. God desires that we too, would have a deep love for Him that would motivate us to greater service. In Psalm 19, David magnifies the revelations of God. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork.” (vs. 1) No matter where a person goes in the universe, God is manifested Himself. “There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” The heavens scream of the power, Person, and principles of God’s character. His sovereignty (control), orderliness, care, magnificence are all revealed throughout His creation. God’s most gracious and complete revelation of Himself comes in His word, the Bible! “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” (vs. 7) God desires a deep and intimate relationship with His children. He has revealed His character, likes and dislikes, plans, and often times His purposes. God wants us to know Him and the power of His resurrection along with the fellowship that is available through trials. (Phil. 3:10) Every relationship is nurtured through communication. God has graciously communicated all we need to know about Him in order to have an intimate and personal relationship with Him. We communicate back to Him through prayer and worship. Have you been nurturing your relationship with God? How is your communication with Him been? David ends this great Psalm with inviting God to evaluate his heart. David was honest enough to realize that man typically justifies his sin, and David did not want to do that. “…cleanse me from my secret faults.” (vs. 12) The “secret faults” are our blindspots or those areas of our lives where we don’t even realize what we have done. David wanted to be sure there was nothing between his soul and His Savior. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (vs. 14) Are you nurturing an intimate and personal relationship with the Lord?
Personal Requests
• Lord, please help me to grow closer to you. I am go thankful for the Bible that teaches me about you and gives me the opportunity to communicate with you.
• Lord, thank you for your grace, patience, and longsuffering with me. Help me to have a heart like David. Please help me to be a man after your own heart.
• Lord, thank you for revealing yourself and your plans to us. Thank you for your constant companionship, encouragement, and help. Please help the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart to always be acceptable in they sight.