Reflecting God’s Devotions for Holy Living – Thursday, 2 January 2014 “Do I Have To?” Scripture Psalm 119

Reflecting God’s Devotions for Holy Living – Thursday, 2 January 2014 “Do I Have To?” Scripture Psalm 119: ³³ Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
    and I will observe it to the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
³⁵ Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
³⁶ Turn my heart to your decrees,
    and not to selfish gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
    give me life in your ways.
³⁸ Confirm to your servant your promise,
    which is for those who fear you.
³⁹ Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
    for your ordinances are good.
⁴⁰ See, I have longed for your precepts;
    in your righteousness give me life.

⁴¹ Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation according to your promise.
⁴² Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,
    for I trust in your word.
⁴³ Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my hope is in your ordinances.
⁴⁴ I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever.
⁴⁵ I shall walk at liberty,
    for I have sought your precepts.
⁴⁶ I will also speak of your decrees before kings,
    and shall not be put to shame;
⁴⁷ I find my delight in your commandments,
    because I love them.
⁴⁸ I revere your commandments, which I love,
    and I will meditate on your statutes.

“Do I Have To?” by Janine Metcalf

Today, and always, we are bid to follow Christ’s example to not just listen to and worship God, but to obey Him. Before His death Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me” (John 14:21).

Evangelist Patrick Morley says, “The American gospel has evolved into a gospel of addition without subtraction. Many believe we can add Christ to our lives but not subtract sin. We change our belief without changing our character. A changed life is one that has added Christ and has subtracted sin–that attracts a world weary of empty words. Jesus is the answer. Our obedience is the proof.”*

King David learned the consequences of failing to subtract sin from his life. Because he rebelled, David suffered personal grief, God’s public wrath, and the right to build God’s temple. No wonder he sought understanding so he could keep God’s law. Whole-hearted obedience is the product of devotion and allegiance, not rote obligation.

Dr. Frank Carver rightly concludes, “The hardest thing we have to do is not necessarily to consecrate ourselves but to repent completely of all our self-sufficiency... not to give all of ourselves, but to give up on ourselves.”

*Patrick Morley, Walking with Christ in the Details of Life, Zondervan Publishing Co., 1998.

Hymn for Today:

“I Am Resolved” by Palmer Hartsough

1. I am resolved no longer to linger,

Charmed by the world’s delight,

Things that are higher, things that are nobler,

These have allured my sight.

Refrain:

I will hasten to Him,

Hasten so glad and free;

Jesus, greatest, highest,

I will come to Thee.

2. I am resolved to go to the Savior,

Leaving my sin and strife;

He is the true One, He is the just One,

He hath the words of life.

Refrain:

I will hasten to Him,

Hasten so glad and free;

Jesus, greatest, highest,

I will come to Thee.

3. I am resolved to follow the Savior,

Faithful and true each day;

Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,

He is the living Way.

Refrain:

I will hasten to Him,

Hasten so glad and free;

Jesus, greatest, highest,

I will come to Thee.

4. I am resolved to enter the kingdom,

Leaving the paths of sin;

Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me,

Still will I enter in.

Refrain:

I will hasten to Him,

Hasten so glad and free;

Jesus, greatest, highest,

I will come to Thee.

5. I am resolved, and who will go with me?

Come, friends, without delay;

Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,

We’ll walk the heav’nly way.

Refrain:

I will hasten to Him,

Hasten so glad and free;

Jesus, greatest, highest,

I will come to Thee.

Thought for Today:

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”(Psalm 119:130).

Prayer Needs:

Many people in Ireland will come to know Jesus the Christ [Yesuha the Messiah] and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

-------

WordAction Publishing Company

2923 Troost Avenue

Kansas City, MO 64109

-------