Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.
Psalm 45:6-7 (NIV)
Lord Jesus I worship You this morning! My heart is filled with joy knowing that I have been sealed by Your love and am even now being prepared for that glorious day when I shall see You face-to-face!
My heart was pricked this morning by the fact Joshua raised to the Israelites by declaring, “You are not able to serve the LORD (Joshua 24:19).” And as I examined my heart I realized, again, that this is a true statement. In and of myself I cannot serve the LORD. I am forever lured away from You by my sinful nature, always being tempted to walk astray.
Yet, in Your infinite mercy You saw fit to come and become the remedy for my guilt, paying the price that I could not pay, and presenting Yourself as surety for my debt! You, Who knew no sin became sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God in You (2 Corinthians 5:21)! In You I stand forgiven, my life changed, and I declare with the redeemed and settled people of Israel, “No! We will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:21)!” I won’t go back, I can’t go back, to the way it used to be before Your presence came and changed me!
Thank You, Jesus for loving me more than I love myself. Thank You for giving me what I could not give myself. Thank for preparing me for more than I can think or imagine. Thank You for filling me with Your precious Holy Spirit. Thank You for giving me everything that I need for life and godliness through my knowledge of You. Thank You for not only being my God, but declaring that I am Your people! Glory to Your Name! Amen!