Friday, June 26, 2026

Opening Scripture

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. Psalm 32:1-2

Opening Prayer

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more. But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry. From the waters lifted me, now safe am I. All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling. In His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing. Love so mighty and so true merits my soul’s best songs. Faithful loving service, too, to Him belongs. Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves. He will lift you by His love out of the angry waves. He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey. He your Savior wants to be, be saved today. Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, love lifted me!

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire – but my ears you have opened – burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come – it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased to save me, Lord; come quickly, LORD, to help me.

May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!” But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the LORD think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.

Reflection  

Today’s passage is one of my favorite psalms because it so clearly expresses the reality of our salvation. David paints an unsettling picture of our lostness, comparing it to being trapped in quicksand, slowly and hopelessly sinking to certain death. “My sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.”

I imagine myself running off in “freedom” – seeking pleasure, popularity, or possessions – ignoring God’s warning and “doing my own thing.” Straying from “the path,” I can choose to go wherever I want and do whatever I please. When the ground goes “soft” under me and my foot sinks a bit, I continue on, ignoring the danger, focused on my desire. Soon, I can’t raise my leg or take another step. I’m horribly stuck!

When I finally come to my senses and understand exactly how terribly doomed I am, lost and sinking in sin, completely unable to save myself, I desperately cry out to God in true humility and repentance.

In that crucial moment, as David says, “He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”

Now, safely delivered from doom and destruction, my desperate cries of fear and hopelessness turn to joyful songs of praise for my Savior. “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”

I gladly give testimony to God’s divine deliverance and bear witness to His miraculous salvation. “I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.”

Now you know why I love this psalm.

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

In today’s reading, King David makes the statement, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire – but my ears you have opened – burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come – it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.’”

These verses express the truth, “To obey is better than sacrifice.”

In 1 Samuel 15, Samuel confronts David’s predecessor, Saul, for his willful disobedience to God’s clear command. When the prophet rebukes the king – “Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?” – Saul seeks to justify taking everything he wanted, but offering animal sacrifices as partial obedience.

Samuel replied, “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”

When Saul finally stops making excuses and confesses his sin to Samuel, he admits, “I was afraid of the people, and so I gave in to them.” That reminds me of John 12:42-43, “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in Jesus. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.”

In John 14, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey what I command. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.”

As we’ve often noted, religious ritual is no substitute for personal relationship. We can also say that sacrifice is no substitute for obedience.

Can you join with David in declaring, “I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart”?

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!