God is All Holy
If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. (Psalm 139:19-20
David is so passionate about the things of God that he declares that even God’s enemies are his enemies. He wants nothing to do with those who stand against God or use His name in vain. He wants to align himself with people who take seriously who God is and give reverence to His name. David was simply pledging his loyalty to the Lord. He knew how awesome God was and he couldn’t bear the thought of someone misusing, misrepresenting, or mishandling the name of God.
Do you treat God like He is All-Holy? Do you have reverence for His name? Do you cringe when someone misuses the name of the Lord?
I can tell you this… There are times that I’m out with a friend at Starbucks and I hear God’s name used in an unholy way. I have had to change my seat many times to avoid hearing my God misrepresented and mishandled. It seriously hurts me down deep inside. Not because I’m any holier than anyone else, but because I have experienced the amazing work of God. I’ve experienced His faithfulness in my life. His name leaves me in awe! Does it leave you in awe? How have you represented God this week?
“Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.” (Psalm 139:21-22)
David refused and rejected those who rose up against God. He was a soldier. A man who faced many battles for the Lord. He was very loyal to God and wanted to defend God’s honor. We show honor to God by rejecting or refusing to fellowship with those who do not do the same. Like a son would stand up for his father, so we too stand up for God. We are loyal and find ourselves defending God’s honor.
This does not mean that we do not have fellowship with those who need to know the saving power of Jesus sacrifice. It simply means to be wise in our interactions, make sure that you spend time with people who encourage you and lift you up in the things of God… So that you can be refreshed and strengthened to face those who don’t. David simply shows us that we can not be neutral when it comes to the things of God. We must take a firm stand!
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
David ends this Psalm with a prayer. He asks God to search his heart for any motive that does not line up to God’s Truth. He wants God to find if there is any offensive way in him. He truly wants to be obedient to the things of God and have a heart that is pure before the Lord. These two verses are a good prayer to pray every day. May we continue to go to the Lord and ask Him to search our hearts. May we desire His leading in our lives and turn from anything that keeps us from being fully devoted to the Lord.
Dear God, Please search my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. Examine my ways and teach me how to walk in the fullness of Your love. I plead with You to find any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. May I run after the things of You and empty myself daily of the things that are not honoring to You.
Serving an All-Holy God,
What a tender earnest prayer…and what an important message…Lord, don’t let the world shape us into it’s ways. Keep us in Your way.
Amen and Amen! May God continue to guide us in His way alone and transform our minds by the power of His Word!
Have a blessed weekend!
Sarah
Read this again while cleaning out my inbox (as I’m subscribed to your wonderful posts). This really spoke to me as I have basically been shunned and disowned by my entire family (minus grandmother and mother) for not allowing my Lord’s name to be profaned by family members on facebook (and it snowballed from there). It’s hard being in the Middle East without much support from the family back home but I’m always encouraged by brothers and sisters in Christ and I do believe God IS worthy of all honor as you clearly state here. I’ve never taken the time to really thank you for your ministry. I have to be very cautious about what I post here in Oman but your posts are a great source of encouragment to me (and many others I know) and I pray that God will continue to bless you and use you in these last days. Much love in Christ!
Hi Andy,
Thank you so much for this comment. It’s amazing to me how God gives me just the right comment when I need it most. These words really meant a lot to me. All I have ever wanted to do with my writing is encourage others and teach the Word of God. It blesses me so much to hear how God is using this in your life. I pray that God will continue to strengthen you for the ministry you are in, that He will continue to guide you and provide you with the hope that you need. May God give you His peace that passes all understanding and give you strength to stand against the giants in your life. Please let me know if there is anything specific I can be praying for. I look forward to hearing how God uses the Wisdom Devotional series in your life.
In God’s Grip of Grace,
Sarah