How often have we heard the term, "be real"? More times than I can count. I suspect when people coin this phrase they're not thinking about being real for God but more likely considering being transparent with people. In my Bible reading I came across a verse where David has quite another perspective.
Psalm 129:23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." David invited God to examine him. He so loved and trusted his Lord that he completely opened himself up to God's scrutiny.
David was willing to look at who he was--no pretenses, no masks. David is often lifted up as an example of a Godly man and yet he had no shortage of sins. He slept with another man's wife, then had the man killed. In my opinion this comes under the category of odious sins. I would think it took great courage for David to look at who he really was.
David's devotion to God drove him toward transparency. He longed for unvarnished truth, but only because God had reigned in his heart.
So it should be with us, to desire God above all else and let Him shine a light on who we are. Then we can be fully and completely His. Being all His enables us to walk with confidence. God knows all there is to know. Even before we've taken a breath of sin He knows and loves us anyway.
Let us not forget that it is in brokenness of spirit and obedience that we discover our Lord and are empowered by God. Only then will we fully see the possibilities He offers.
Grace and peace to you from God.
Bonnie
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Hi Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean when you say that in "brokenness of spirit" we discover God?
Sarah
Hi Sarah.
ReplyDeleteGood question. Sorry for not being clear on that.
In my mind, I was thinking that until I give up self or until my spirit longs for more of Him and less of me I will miss so much of who He is and ultimately many of the plans He has for me.
And sometimes God allows life's circumstances to bring us to our knees so we will seek Him. My first experience with this was a time when I had no where to turn and no one to turn to. I was broken. Only then did I come to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to live in me, which was thirty-four years ago.
Blessings to you,
Bonnie
It's kind of a picture of redemption isn't it? David was a sinner, but in God's eyes David is the shining example of a Godly man. Sometimes hard to imagine myself as a shining example, but in God's eyes... through Christ...
ReplyDeleteSheila,
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly! We are redeemed--seen as pure by God because of Christ. In our humaness it is so difficult to fully comprehend, but that does not diminish its truth.
Praising God for His grace!
Bonnie
Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your beautiful insights. We're sharing this with your Team Members at church and crediting your blog, of course.
Many blessings!
Karla Johnson
The Vine Church
Troy, AL
Karla, it blesses me if I can offer insights or be of any help. And what I do is only because of His presence in me.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace to you.