Day 47 w/David-We must be ready and willing for the Lord to examine our hearts no matter the method.
- araratchurch
- Apr 30, 2022
- 4 min read
“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.”
Psalms 26:2 NKJV
Hezekiah was a good man. As a matter fact, he was probably one of the best kings Judah ever had. However, there was one problem. After the Lord had healed Hezekiah and the kingdom had been delivered out of the hands of Sennacherib, he made a mistake, a big mistake, concerning the Babylonians. You see, the king of Babylon—having heard of the miraculous way in which Hezekiah was healed as well as the sign given in the land of Judah (the sun going back on the sun dial)—sent a gift to Hezekiah along with some ambassadors.
“At that time Merodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. And Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his treasures—the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory—all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.”
Isaiah 39:1-2 NKJV
Hezekiah was so impressed and flattered that the king of Babylon would wish him well that he showed off all his treasures (actually, the Lord’s treasures) to these people who did not worship the Lord. In saying that he showed ALL that was in his house, we might imagine that he even showed them the Ark of the Covenant! This was a huge mistake his descendants would later pay for by being taken to Babylon along with all the treasures of Judah.
“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’””
Isaiah 39:5-7 NKJV
But how could this happen? How could someone who has done so many good things, fail so miserably to keep holy, the things belonging to the Lord? The following scripture (part of a summation of the works of Hezekiah) gives us some insight into what happened:
“However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart.”
II Chronicles 32:31 NKJV
You see, God did not speak in advance to Hezekiah as to what he should do when the Babylonian envoy came. The purpose was in order that the full contents of Hezekiah‘s heart might be revealed. And sure enough, what was revealed was a heart given to flattery, easily impressed by the overtures of others, leading him to want to further impress them by flaunting all the riches of the house of the Lord.
Now, when we hear of the Lord searching our heart, and prayers to that effect, we might suppose that always involves the Lord just looking and seeing what is going on in us (which He certainly can do). But many times, the Lord will use a trial, a test, to reveal the full contents of a person’s heart. Consider this Instruction from the Apostle Peter:
“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”
1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT
In our portion from Psalms today we see that David—in presenting his case before the Lord concerning his enemies—is inviting the Lord to examine his heart. He felt that such an examination would benefit his case; and so it may have been. We know that David was a man who wanted God‘s will; He sought after the heart of God. As a matter of fact, we see David inviting God’s examination many times throughout the psalms. Here is one of my favorites:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalms 139:23-24 NKJV
But now consider this: one time, the full contents of David’s heart were examined when—instead of going to battle—he stayed at home. And—while on a roof—the attention of his idle mind is caught by a very beautiful woman, bathing.
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
We must be ready and willing for the Lord to examine our hearts no matter the method He chooses to use.
- araratchurch
- Apr 29, 2022
- 3 min read
“Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.”
Psalms 25:12-14 NKJV
I think it’s sad that the practice of people learning skills through apprenticeship is neglected in our modern society. There seems to be the philosophy that everything can be learned in a classroom setting, then you enter into your profession, and it’s all one big seamless process. But, it is anything but seamless. All the “book learning” in the world cannot replace the hands-on process that happens when a person learning to do something, is doing it under the watchful eye of a “master.” Experience teaches things that a classroom never can.
I am intrigued when I watch someone who is really a master at doing something—woodworking, plumbing, electrical, cooking, etc.—talking about the so-called “hacks” they have come up with through their experience. These hacks—these secrets—streamline their work and make the finished product better; they also help negotiate the “unexpected.” I truly believe that the reason that the YouTube “experience” has become so popular is that it puts back an element of learning that has been all but lost; you can watch someone do something that you want/need to do. However, still missing is that element of what to do if it does not go exactly as it went for the person on the YouTube video. The “master” would know what to do; but you don’t.
Did you know that the Lord has provided a Master Who can be with us all the time as we navigate our spiritual journey? His name is the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus promised this wonderful Teacher to us:
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”
John 16:12-15 NKJV
Jesus has provided a way for us to be under the watchful eye of a Master Teacher!
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28-29 NKJV
Yes, the yoke of Jesus Christ is the Holy Spirit. He conveys to us what our Lord knows: everything!
But, just as it is with a master trying to teach an apprentice, the apprentice must have a willing heart, respect the knowledge of the Teacher, and do just as He says.
In our portion from Psalms today we see David reflecting on one of the great benefits of fearing the Lord: knowing His “secret.” For those who fear the Lord, those who recognize God for who He is, those who desire to be obedient to His will, there is access to His limitless knowledge and understanding! He is willing to show us how to live an abundant life! All we have to do is to be willing to be taught and to do as He says.
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
The Lord wants to share His secrets with us.
- araratchurch
- Apr 28, 2022
- 3 min read
“Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.”
“For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.”
Psalms 25:6-7, 11 NKJV
In my high school yearbook there is one autograph (do they still write in yearbooks?) that stands out to me. It is written by a young man who became a good friend in the last 3 years of high school (our high school was grades 8 through 12). In this autograph he says that he was very glad that he had come to know that, “first impressions don’t count.” Then he went on to say some very complementary things. But what was he referencing when he said, “first impressions don’t count?” Well, allow me to explain: his first experience with me came when we were on opposing teams in a sort of “debate.” The actual object of the team-to-team combat was to see if you could trip up the other team regarding the details of the subject we had been studying (in this case it was Greek Mythology…I know). Well, I could be very competitive in such situations and could also come across as being very aggressive (because I was being very aggressive). I never thought of how I was being perceived; I was just thinking about the goal: winning. Thankfully—as he came to better know me—he saw a more complete picture of me and began to see me in a different way.
Aren’t we grateful for do-overs? Sadly, there are some things concerning which there can be no do-over (in the natural). Mistakes have been made, the results of which, cannot be reversed; relationships damaged, setting a new course that cannot be corrected. I’m sure you know how it feels to wish you could have a do-over when a do-over is not available.
The fact is, as fallen human beings, we are born needing a do-over. We are born carrying the load of our own Sin: the Sin of mankind in rebelling against God.
“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”
1 John 1:8-10 NLT
Until Jesus Christ, there was no permanent remedy, no permanent do-over for our terrible state of being (condemned under Sin). But, what we could not do for ourselves, God has done for us through Jesus Christ. Now—for those who are in Christ—we are seen through the work of the Cross, seen through His own love and mercy. Therefore, we are afforded a standing do-over.
“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”
1 John 2:1-2 NLT
We repent and ask the Lord to forgive us because of Jesus Christ: the ultimate work of grace and mercy.
In our portion from Psalms today we see David pleading for forgiveness. In doing so, he makes a powerful statement: “According to your mercy remember me.” David realized that approaching the Lord with humility would divert His anger; He looks on the penitent soul with mercy, because of His own goodness.
Remember, people with whom you associate may never afford you a do-over. Indeed, life itself, may dictate your mistakes in granite. But God—looking through Jesus Christ—will see you through eyes of mercy, and deal with you according to His goodness.
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
The Lord sees the penitent soul through the eyes of mercy.