A Strong Heart

After walking for what seemed to be miles, he stopped at the corner of an apple orchard to admire the beautiful apples. The owner of the orchard noticed him and asked, “Son, are you trying to steal my apples?”

“No, sir,” he replied, “I’m trying not to. But my trying not to is losing to my wanting to.”

It was that way with David. Deep in his heart, he wanted to do what was right. But one day he realized that his friendship with evil men was a strong force that was often more powerful than his desire to do the right things.

As his walk with the Lord grew stronger, he began to realize that there was a power beyond human power, And, if he wanted to, he could choose victory over defeat by depending on that power. He was able to move from being overcome by their power to overcoming temptation and sin by calling upon God’s power.

So, he went to God in prayer and asked, “Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in evil deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.”

One of the most powerful thoughts that the devil places in our minds is that we are human and that God realizes we may be overcome by temptation to sin. It’s so easy to rationalize sin’s power and our weakness to be tempted to sin.

Paul had an answer or this excuse. “There is no temptation that is more powerful than God’s power. And He’ll provide a way of escape if you want it,” he added.

Prayer: Lord, help us to confront our excuse of being human as a reason to sin. May we run to You for safety. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in evil deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.

A Strong Heart

After walking for what seemed to be miles, he stopped at the corner of an apple orchard to admire the beautiful apples. The owner of the orchard noticed him and asked, “Son, are you trying to steal my apples?”

“No, sir,” he replied, “I’m trying not to. But my trying not to is losing to my wanting to.”

It was that way with David. Deep in his heart, he wanted to do what was right. But one day he realized that his friendship with evil men was a strong force that was often more powerful than his desire to do the right things.

As his walk with the Lord grew stronger, he began to realize that there was a power beyond human power, And, if he wanted to, he could choose victory over defeat by depending on that power. He was able to move from being overcome by their power to overcoming temptation and sin by calling upon God’s power.

So, he went to God in prayer and asked, “Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in evil deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.”

One of the most powerful thoughts that the devil places in our minds is that we are human and that God realizes we may be overcome by temptation to sin. It’s so easy to rationalize sin’s power and our weakness to be tempted to sin.

Paul had an answer or this excuse. “There is no temptation that is more powerful than God’s power. And He’ll provide a way of escape if you want it,” he added.

Prayer: Lord, help us to confront our excuse of being human as a reason to sin. May we run to You for safety. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in evil deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.

Watching Our Words

Years ago, while serving as a Navy chaplain, I was ordered to “park my car” in a specially designated area and stand beside it. I was rather amazed that a chaplain and an officer would be subjected to such scrutiny. I had my uniform on with the proper “symbols” to announce my status. Why, of all people, was I being searched, I asked. Looking at me as he would have looked at any other person, a shore patrolman said in a quiet, yet stern voice, “Just a routine matter, Sir.” Only later was I told that a critical item was missing from the armory. He was ordered to carefully guard against anything leaving the installation without the commanding officer’s approval.

David went to God with an unusual request: “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep a watch over the door of my lips.” David knew that he might say something that could be dangerous and destructive to others. But, he had a solution: He asked God for “a guard” to control his speech. He did not want any evil words to exit his mouth that could harm others. No doubt he had been harmed by the words of others and knew how painful and harmful words could be.

Jesus said, “Nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him unclean...it is from within, out of a man’s heart, come evil thoughts (that) make a man ‘unclean.’” Jesus knew how to stop “harmful words and deeds.” Keep them away from me and me away from them!

David knew about harmful words. So, he also asked God for something else that was very important: “Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil.” Why? Evil in - evil out.

Prayer: Lord, Your advice is so practical and purposeful. May it “take over” our hearts and keep us from evil. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep a watch over the door of my lips.

Watching Our Words

Years ago, while serving as a Navy chaplain, I was ordered to “park my car” in a specially designated area and stand beside it. I was rather amazed that a chaplain and an officer would be subjected to such scrutiny. I had my uniform on with the proper “symbols” to announce my status. Why, of all people, was I being searched, I asked. Looking at me as he would have looked at any other person, a shore patrolman said in a quiet, yet stern voice, “Just a routine matter, Sir.” Only later was I told that a critical item was missing from the armory. He was ordered to carefully guard against anything leaving the installation without the commanding officer’s approval.

David went to God with an unusual request: “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep a watch over the door of my lips.” David knew that he might say something that could be dangerous and destructive to others. But, he had a solution: He asked God for “a guard” to control his speech. He did not want any evil words to exit his mouth that could harm others. No doubt he had been harmed by the words of others and knew how painful and harmful words could be.

Jesus said, “Nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him unclean...it is from within, out of a man’s heart, come evil thoughts (that) make a man ‘unclean.’” Jesus knew how to stop “harmful words and deeds.” Keep them away from me and me away from them!

David knew about harmful words. So, he also asked God for something else that was very important: “Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil.” Why? Evil in - evil out.

Prayer: Lord, Your advice is so practical and purposeful. May it “take over” our hearts and keep us from evil. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep a watch over the door of my lips.

Help Wanted Now!

It is not easy for us to imagine someone who was a king, especially King David, who had everything he wanted, and every problem solved every day of his life. But that image is incorrect according to Psalm 141. David appears to be in trouble.

Hear his cry: “O, Lord, I call to You, come quickly to me; hear my voice when I call to You. May my prayer be set before You like incense.”

David was not hesitant to request and receive an immediate audience with God. “I call to You...so...hear my voice.” There was no doubt about God’s availability or that someone would be ahead of him for one reason or another waiting for an audience with God. God is always available to hear our voice and attend to our needs whenever we call on Him at any time from anyplace.

David also knew that there was nothing or no one that could stop God from helping him. “Come quickly to me.” No doubt he had gone to others for help, and they were either unable or unwilling to help him. His situation was critical, and he needed God’s assistance immediately. He had turned to others with no results. Now it was time for him to turn to God.

David was also aware of God’s acceptance of him and his needs. “May my prayer be set before You.” He did not doubt that God was there for him. He was not afraid that his concerns would embarrass God or surprise God or be of no interest to God or be beyond God’s power. He knew that whatever he needed would get God’s attention!

Prayer: How blest we are, Father, to know that we all have equal standing before You and every need is acceptable. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:1, 2 O, Lord, I call to You, come quickly to me; hear my voice when I call to You. May my prayer be set before You like incense.