Can you make a PROMISE to GOD like David did?
I remember when the "chastity" ring came out. It was a ring a young girl could wear that she would continually wear on her hand that reminded her of the promise she made before God that she wouldn't have pre-marital sex with anyone. No sex until marriage.
Or do you remember the "WWJD" bracelets millions of people would wear back in the 1990's. It was an acronym for "What Would Jesus Do?" I wore one, and every time I extended my hand to shake someone's hand or pay for an item at the store, I'd see that bracelet and be reminded to live a life considering "what would Jesus do?"
In the same kind of way, David made some promises to God so that they would be used to help create "boundaries" in his life, and in turn, aid him in living a life that pleases God.
Listen to the promises (or holy lifestyle boundaries) gave to himself in prayer to God:
His first...was to behave wisely by following God's perfect way...that of holy living.
His second...was to show those within his own household that he was going to live Godly.
His third...was to turn his eyes away from anything that would cause him to sin against God.
His fourth...was to hate any lifestyle that was contrary to the holy life God desired for him.
His fifth...was to make sure any unholy desire in his heart was irradicated.
His sixth...was to make sure he would NEVER live a wicked life.
His seventh...was to alienate himself from those who slander other people.
His eight...was to distance himself from arrogant people.
His ninth...to surround himself with others who want to live a Godly and holy life.
His tenth...to kick out any servant that is has a spirit of deceit.
His eleventh...to distance himself from anyone who lies.
His twelfth...to kick out of the city everyone who was an evil doer.
All of these are great guidelines for living a life that pleases God! Have you set up any promises or boundaries before God? Are there moral and spiritual red lines you've chosen not to cross? Have you written them down or made a commitment before the Lord.
In chapter 102, we can see one glaring and incredible truth about God. It's that He never changes (vs.26-27).
Years ago, I had a person tell me that he thought the Bible was full of stories about the old ways of God and was thus, unreliable for contemporary learning. I told him he had made a terrible error in understanding God's explanation of Himself in the old days. He acted surprise and asked, "What do you mean?"
I asked him, "Do you think God was ever perfect at any time?" To which he replied, "Of course."
I then asked, "At what point during His perfection do you feel He needed to change that perfection because He was no longer perfect?" He had no answer for me.
I then said, "If you feel God was ever perfect, then you've denied His character of perfectness by providing a human response for His need to adapt to the times of man. God is. He described Himself to Moses as 'I am.' Why? Because He is. Another scripture says, 'He is all in all.' And another, 'God is the same today, yesterday and forever.'
I then began to share with him this particular verse in the Bible (along with several others) about just how perfect God is. God doesn't change with the times! He doesn't need to. He made time! Think about that!
Psalms 103 is one of my favorite chapters! It tells us so much! Can I give you just a brief highlight of what I love about it?
First...I love how David tells himself - let "all that is within me, bless His holy name." (KJV) I, so often, love to pray and say, "Father, everything in me, every cell in my body cries out to you and praises you for ALL you have done and who you are!" Have you ever done that?
Second...David says there's so much praise Him for: He forgives all of our sins, He heals all of our sickness and disease, He redeemed us from hell, He extends love and mercy to us continually, He provides food for us, and renews us when we need it.
Third...I love how David says in verse 7 how there was a BIG difference between what Moses knew about God and the rest of the children of Israel. Remember, Moses had a friendship with God that was very close. As such, Moses understood God's ways and how His heart and mind worked. The children of Israel weren't that close to God. They knew of God's power and wonderful works, but unlike Moses, they didn't really intimately know the God they served!
How about you? You may know a few facts about God, but do you know the heart and character of God due to an intimate walk with Him?
Fourth...much of the rest of the chapter speak of God's wonderful forgiveness. They are powerful verses, especially for those who live in a life of guilt. If that's you, read these verses daily until you understand how our loving Heavenly Father is full of forgiveness and mercy.
Fifth...the chapter ends with some information about ANGELS. David describes them as being POWERFUL beings who are only interested in one thing - doing EXACTLY what God tells them to do!
We should be like the angels, shouldn't we?
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