by Aaron

Read: Exodus 13:17-15:18, Matthew 21:23-46, Psalm 26:1-12, Proverbs 6:16-19

Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
Test my motives and my heart.
Psalms 26:2

Relate: I remember reading Les Misérables where the main character was in court for his actions, and he was guilty. One thing I am certain of is that the main character did not want to be in court. He felt just like any guilty person would in that situation. However, David, a sinner like all of us, was asking the Lord to put him on trial. How close was David to the Lord? He was so close that he was not afraid for the Lord to put him on trial and examine his deeds.

React: There are some days when I get so busy with life that I feel desperate. I start to focus only on myself and try to finish all the work. It’s a time when I shift my focus from God to all things unrelated to Him. It feels like everything around me is falling apart; I don’t want the Lord to put me on trial for what I’ve done, let alone examine my heart and my motives. 

However, that doesn’t need to be the case. We are sinners, and we are being saved by Jesus. Instead of focusing on ourselves, we could focus on God, so that our motives and our hearts are influenced by Jesus, not by our sinful nature. We need to spend time with the Lord. How can we be Christ-like if we don’t spend time with Him? How can we be like King David, who wants the Lord to examine him and test his motives, without spending time with the Lord?

Respond:

 Dear Lord,
You know each of us, and You see all of our motives, our innermost thoughts. Lord, I need Your help, I need You to change what my heart focuses on the most. Help me to focus on You. Forgive me for the sins I have committed. Strengthen my faith when it is weak, and give me hope amidst desperate situations. Help me to seek You more when I am troubled by the work that I have to finish, and when I am distracted by things that are happening around me. Help me to be more like You, let me be like King David, examine my thoughts, and my heart. In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen.

Nearly all posts in February and March have as special guest authors the Juniors from the Christian Living class at Faith Academy.