Daily Devotional for Monday, July 8

David’s Penalty

“For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me,” Psalm 38:4.

Jesus once told a parable of two men with two very different hearts. One of the men, who happened to be a Pharisee, stood and prayed, thanking God that he was not evil as other men were. He then proceeded to rehearse all the good works he had done as though God was not aware. The other man was a publican. Publicans were known as sinners and thieves during biblical times. However, this man had a much different heart about him. He could not even bring himself to look up toward Heaven as he prayed. He kept his face down as he beat upon his chest and cried out, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). His heart was humble before the Lord, and he was truly sorrowful for his sin.

God is absolutely holy and righteous in every way. He cannot tolerate or even look upon sin. And yet, there is no getting around the fact that mankind is sinful. The apostle Paul wrote, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (Romans 7:18). David’s heart was torn apart over his sin. He was burdened and troubled for the sin that had hurt his relationship with the Lord.

What is our attitude about sin in our lives? Praise be to God, the blood of Christ covers our sin, and there is no condemnation for those who have trusted in Him (Romans 8:1). However, our hearts need to be sensitive to the sin that can so easily take us off course from our daily walk with the Lord. Make sure your heart does not become hardened; stay humble before the Lord.

REFLECTION
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

Darla Goodrum