Journey to the Cross

Pause

Take a moment to think about how you are expressing your love and praise to God. What difference does your being a child of God make in the way you live your life together with God and others?

Listen

The Lord’s Instruction is perfect, reviving one’s very being. The Lord’s laws are faithful, making naive people wise. The Lord’s regulations are right, gladdening the heart. The Lord’s commands are pure, giving light to the eyes. Honoring the Lord is correct, lasting forever. The Lord’s judgments are true. All of these are righteous! They are more desirable than gold— than tons of pure gold! They are sweeter than honey— even dripping off the honeycomb! No doubt about it: your servant is enlightened by them; there is great reward in keeping them. But can anyone know what they’ve accidentally done wrong? Clear me of any unknown sin and save your servant from willful sins. Don’t let them rule me. Then I’ll be completely blameless; I’ll be innocent of great wrongdoing.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:7-14

Think

Today’s passage helps us to think about the beauty of God’s ways becoming our ways. The psalmist writes about the good things that will fill our hearts and minds and will shape our perspectives through the “Lord’s Instruction.” Could this passage have been one of Jesus’ favorites? Read it again and see if you find Jesus’ will and way in the words — his concern for following God’s law and loving God and neighbor, even on a journey to the cross.

Could this passage be a prescription for your life? What if you committed to reading it every night before bed for a year? Could it become a part of you, with the Spirit’s help? Could you know the passion of Jesus for God in your own worship?

David Haun

Pray

Revealing God, you give me what I need to live well in this world. Beyond necessities, you offer wisdom and goodness. By your Spirit, slow me down. Confront me with the need of your words and ways from the Bible. Soak me through and through with them until they are me and I am them. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Go

Go, led by the Holy Spirit, making way for God to be first with you always and your neighbor to be second, answering God’s saving love with your life, meeting the miracle of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ with the gift of your honor-filled worship, both day and night, wherever you are, forever. Amen.