Let Me Not Wander

Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar. (NIV) When God is in control, instead of us, then our obedience to him will once again be delightful. God will be pleased, hence producing our own pleasure. Repentance from a dominating sin can be a hard road at times, but in the end we will be right back where we belong, in the city of God.

In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. (NIV) Zion is God's kingdom. And David is praying that God would do good to His kingdom. These words are similar to the words of Christ when the example prayer was prayed for the disciples. Jesus prayed, "...Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..." When we recover from sin, our thoughts should begin to go back to where they belong: On God and his expanding kingdom. No longer are we going to be dwelling on selfish thoughts: on how we are doing, on how our lives are playing out, on what we are getting out of different situations. We will begin to think on others. We will begin to think about how we can meet the needs of others and serve them, all for the advancing of the kingdom.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;   a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (NIV) Ask yourself today if you are offering the right sacrifices to God. Many people give their tithe, wear the right clothes, make sure they pray for their food, etc. But they never break down and let God begin that good work in their inner being. God is never allowed to step foot into their heart or soul. Don't be that way. Let God break you.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. (NIV) Outward adherence to religious practices just doesn't work. God takes no pleasure in these things when the heart is far from him. Where are you at today? Are you just following the right pattern on the outside?

O Lord, open my lips,   and my mouth will declare your praise. (NIV) When God has done so much for us, we mus sing of His praise. We can't hold it back. God will open our lips so that our mouths will declare his greatness.

Save me from bloodguilt, O God,   the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. (NIV) Knowing what you deserve can many times help you to know what you need to be saved from. David (along with the rest of us) deserves to die, he knows this and cries out to God for salvation from what he deserves. And he cries out to God because he knows that God is the saving kind of God.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. (NIV) This is a huge thought. Especially as a teacher it is good to remind yourself that you need to get your own life in order before you go teaching everyone else where they need to straighten up. When repentance has truly happened, when joy and fellowship is restored, then your life will teach.