Old Habits: Psalm 25

This week we officially start Psalm 25. As I mentioned, we're taking it slow. 

I was at the lake with the family last week in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was some much-needed time off, but I struggled to slow my soul and rest. This season has been a tough one for me.

It seems as though the old habits rear their head, and past sins torment me once again. Again, Paul's words in Romans stir in my heart:

"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." —Romans 7:24-25

My mind has been running non-stop lately, and I recognize that it's because my soul isn't anchored to His Word as it should. Sure, I'm getting up and having my morning quiet time. It's not unfruitful or in vain. But, the absolute surrender of all that I am, all that I have, and all I ever hope to be are lackluster. 

"Your god may be your little Christian habit - the habit of prayer or Bible reading at certain times of your day. Watch how your Father will upset your schedule if you begin to worship your habit instead of what the habit symbolizes. We say, 'I can't do that right now; this is my time alone with God.' No, this is your time alone with your habit." —Oswald Chambers

Let us not worship our habit, but worship our God. Today, the Lord presents His Word to us. A short verse in Psalm 25:1 for us to mull over. To ponder. To speak to others. It reads:

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. —Psalm 25:1

That's it. Nine words. This psalm opens by expressing confidence in the Lord. Each day, we "lift up" our souls. "Lift up" means to point our desires toward, set our heart on, be greedy towards, or count on. Morning by morning we lift up our souls to something or someone. It takes an intentional and obedient act to direct our desire to God Almighty. Maybe you've figured it out, but from my experience, it doesn't happen naturally because our flesh is adversarially working. 

I find that when I start my days in a humble posture — often, physically on my knees in surrender — God's power rises to meet me. Then, as I lift my soul to Him, knowing that no good thing comes from me, He can use what I've surrendered just like the boy with the barley loaves and fish. A small gift abundantly multiplied. 

"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" —John 6:9

"For with God nothing shall be impossible." —Luke 1:37

Rarely do I feel like getting on my knees. Rarely do I want to. But, it's in the moments of feeling unmotivated, defeated, tired, anxious, overwhelmed, and outright rebellious that I find God is the closest. That is, if I'm willing to point my desires to Him. He is willing to work to will and act in holiness. 

"for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Philippians 2:13

I encourage you to do that now and say, "To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul." Then, wait for hope to appear.

When life is heavy and hard to take,

    go off by yourself. Enter the silence.

Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions:

    Wait for hope to appear.

Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face.

    The “worst” is never the worst.

Lamentations 3:28-30 (Message)

A Moment with the Messiah: Day 10

No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your heart. May you be richly blessed in Him!

Read: Luke 2:19—20

19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 

Reflect: It would be difficult to imagine what the past nine months were like for Mary. Being engaged, conceiving a child by the Holy Spirit, traveling a long distance, and experiencing the Savior’s birth. Talk about a mind-numbing roller coaster of emotions. No matter how wild your life is, the words in verse 19 are ones to etch on your soul: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Mary gave careful thought to all that had happened and what was told to her about this baby named Jesus. Approach this Christmas season–and your daily life–in this same manner. The words Christ speaks to you should be treasures in your heart and ponderings in your minds.

Respond: Lord God, I want to treasure up all the things You speak through Your Word and meditate on them. I want to glorify and praise Your name just like the shepherds, because what You say, You will do.

Tot Time: Chat about what a treasure is and ask the little ones to name a few treasures they have at home. Why are those items special? Talk further about how the Bible is a special treasure and we are to keep it hidden in our heart so we do not sin against God (Psalm 119:11).