Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 26:8-12
Ps 26:8-12
O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.
1 Cor 5:6-8
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
In these passages we have contrasting attitudes toward the world and toward living for God. David recognized (in several psalms) that when we are constantly with evil people we will be influenced by them. The Corinthians did not recognize this fact and even allowed one who was grossly immoral to be a part of their fellowship and even bragged about his sin. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Later in this same letter, Paul tells them not to be deceived because bad company ruins good morals. I have seen this happen in the work environment with adults and I have seen it happen in the school setting with young people. Most people are followers and for whatever reason, bad behavior seems to rub off on us more easily than good behavior. While we must live in the world and therefore, we will be around ungodly people, we do not have make them our constant companions.
The Psalmist said that he loved the house of the Lord and loved being there with others to worship the Lord. Paul refers to the assembly to worship as celebrating the festival. If we approached the worship as a celebration and as a festival, we might find it more encouraging today. Worship is about God and about instilling in us his majesty and his greatness. It is not primarily about us and how we feel, but the more we come away in awe of Him, the more we will be lifted up. Sing, study, pray and lift up the Lord with enthusiasm, and not as a dental appointment!
O Lord God, keep me from ever losing sight of your greatness and majesty. You are indeed an awesome God, the God of wisdom and power but the God of genuine love. Thank you for finding a way for your justice and your love to meet in the sacrifice of Jesus for my sin. I need your strength every day to be what you want me to become. Give me greater faith, more self-control, more compassion, and love for others, even as you love me. Help me have a positive attitude so that I don’t complain or find fault in others. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert