Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike.
Deuteronomy 29:18b-19
Lord, search my heart today. Show me where I have allowed seeds of poisonous and bitter fruit to be planted – whether by me or others – and give me the resolve to uproot them. Show me where I am taking for granted the blessings that I have been given in Christ, where I am not walking in a manner that demonstrates Whose I am, that I might repent and turn from it. I ask this not because You have promised that those whose lives reflect the presence of this “poison” shall be swept away and not be blessed – though I do desire to be blessed. I ask this because I don’t want to be separated from You. I don’t want to be away from Your presence. I don’t want to displease You. Instead, I want to make You smile. Therefore, expose my heart that I might see all of the flaws in it. Soften it that I might be sensitive to Your convictions. Prick my conscience that I might be repentant, turning from ways that don’t make You happy, and turning towards You…
I thank You for the sacrifice of my Savior, His willingness to come and give His life that I might have life. I thank You for the access that I have to You through Him, how He has opened the lines of communication by sending Your Holy Spirit, filling me with His presence and enabling me to stay close to You. I thank You for His transforming work in me, accomplishing in me the good work that You have begun through the finished work of Jesus Christ. I thank You for this awe inspiring demonstration of love, meticulously carried out by You, planned from the foundation of the world! Thank You for ushering me into Your family!
Help me not to take this great work and gift for granted. Enable me throughout this day to walk in full obedience to Your will as revealed in Your Word and spoken to my heart. Remind me of Your goodness throughout this day that I might actively seek opportunities to give You the praise and glory due Your Name. I surrender my heart, mind and will to You today that You might be glorified by all I say and do in Jesus’ Name. Amen.