August 12, 2006 - Psalms 84-86 and Romans 12
I want to give you an assignment today as you read God's Word. Look for all of the attributes of God that are mentioned. It is wonderful to consider the perfection of God's character. It is fulfilling to worship Him for who He is as Psalm 84 says. It is very important for us to cry out to Him for revival as it says in Psalm 85. It is so important to pray to Him as the only God as David does in Psalm 86 and to ask Him to forgive and to have mercy on us. However, the beginning of all of those things is knowing the character of God.
In Psalm 84 the psalmist tells us He is the living God, who blesses those who walk uprightly. In Psalm 85 we read that He is Mercy and Truth, and Righteousness and peace. Even though some people think of those things as opposites, God is perfectly both at the same time. Psalm 86 exalts Him for His compassion and longsuffering. How marvelous is the One True God.
Then, in Romans 12 we are all exhorted to give ourselves to Him, so we can prove His perfect will. What does that mean? It means that others should see the character of God coming through us. They should see the spiritual gifts He has given and His attributes should come through because the Holy Spirit is in us. If we don't show people God, how will they come to know He is real? Also, if we don't show His attributes of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, how much damage do we do to those who see us and know we are supposed to be different? I am afraid we do a lot of damage in those cases. We must show forth the character of God by allowing the Spirit to live through us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 87-88 and Romans 13.
In Psalm 84 the psalmist tells us He is the living God, who blesses those who walk uprightly. In Psalm 85 we read that He is Mercy and Truth, and Righteousness and peace. Even though some people think of those things as opposites, God is perfectly both at the same time. Psalm 86 exalts Him for His compassion and longsuffering. How marvelous is the One True God.
Then, in Romans 12 we are all exhorted to give ourselves to Him, so we can prove His perfect will. What does that mean? It means that others should see the character of God coming through us. They should see the spiritual gifts He has given and His attributes should come through because the Holy Spirit is in us. If we don't show people God, how will they come to know He is real? Also, if we don't show His attributes of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, how much damage do we do to those who see us and know we are supposed to be different? I am afraid we do a lot of damage in those cases. We must show forth the character of God by allowing the Spirit to live through us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 87-88 and Romans 13.