It was one of those mornings where you are laying awake, perhaps the alarm has already gone off and you have it the snooze already. You know you need to get up…you start to think about stuff. Then conviction happens about something and you need to do something about it. You can (1) feel guilty and start your Monday off in a bad mood, not recommended, (2) ignore it, also not recommended, (3) try to motivate yourself into embracing your best life now and fill up your self-esteem tank – not recommended either, or (4) confess and repent and enjoy the grace of God in Jesus and move on.
My mind was in full “what’s next” mode and I was off and scheming, except I had left God completely out of it. I was thinking, planning, moving all in my own strength and my own wisdom. Then I read Psalm 21 this AM (after getting out of bed)…
O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices,
and in your salvation how greatly he exults!
You have given him his heart’s desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
For you meet him with rich blessings;
you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
He asked life of you; you gave it to him,
length of days forever and ever.
His glory is great through your salvation;
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
For you make him most blessed forever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
For the king trusts in the LORD,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.
(Psalm 21:1-7 ESV)
David is rejoicing in God’s strength, not his. In God’s salvation, not his ability to save himself. He realizes that every good desire is from God and God has given him great things, he didn’t do it all on his own – including his very life and breath and health!
God’s greatest glory (v5) is demonstrated in his salvation that he offers us through the Messiah, Jesus. God is pleased to save sinners – 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God doesn’t wish that anyone should perish, but wants all to come to repentance. Repentance is a big Bible word meaning to “change direction” – we do this first in faith in trusting God to save us in Jesus, but then a life of faith is started – as Luther said we then our whole lives are repentance. A daily turning from ourselves and turning to God. Redirecting our thoughts, words, actions to be God pleasing, not self-pleasing – to have the mindset of King David…sometimes this is required even before we get out of bed…
Mike Ruel 