David Faces Reality

~~~ 2 Samuel 12:1-7A, 10-17 ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~

~~~ Mark 4:35-41 ~~~

Create a clean heart in me, O God.

The readings today are a precursor to our
time of repentance...Lent.

Ash Wednesday is little more than a week away.

During lent we are reminded about our own sinfulness...
we are reminded that God has command over life and death...
even over the wind and sea. 

God did show great forgiveness toward David,
but David also had to suffer for his hideous decisions.
David experienced our all powerful God.

David saw the results of his lust and adultery...
the death of his child.
This loss of this innocent life brought
David to the ground. 

Create a clean heart in me, O God.

God has unlimited power and mercy.
It is through our faith that we are led to trust him.

David ruled with ruthless violence, not only against his enemies,
but with his own soldiers.

In reality how can we expect God
to deal with us in any manner other than the way
 we have dealt with others?

The difference is that we are clueless
to the love God has for us.

We are also clueless to God's immense power and justice.

David was caught in a violent
storm that he himself caused by his sins.
Sin eventually has repercussions for our soul.

Crushed by the truth of his sinfulness David
faces reality fasting and clothed in sackcloth.

Jesus can calm the storms of our life...
He can speak the words...
 “Quiet! Be still!”

These three words can create peace
 in your soul...in your life.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.

A willing spirit is our ticket to salvation joy.

Blessings in the storms of life.
~~~Peace~~~

Allow God to Pray Over You

~~~ Ez 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32 ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ Matthew 19:13-15 ~~~

Create a clean heart in me, O God.

The prophet Ezekiel gives us a lengthy, detailed list of the things

God does not want us to do.

This list is mirrored through the commandments.

In reading this list we are encouraged to lead an exemplary life.

We are encouraged to live a virtuous life.

"...If a man is virtuous—if he does what is right and just..."

To be virtuous you are honest, caring, fair, compassionate,

faithful, and truthful.

Sounds easy enough, but there is one catch...

you must live this way in all areas of your life

every day.

Why wouldn't you want to live a virtuous life all the time?

Because we are human...we have difficulties being consistent.

We have good intentions, but we are weak.

We mean to do well and follow the Lord's commands,

but our actions often miss the mark.

"...man is virtuous—he shall surely live, says the Lord GOD."

God understands well our weaknesses and so he planned for it.

He wants us to have hope.

He does not want us to throw up our hands

when we fail and walk away.

"...Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed,
and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit."

The psalmist wrote psalm fifty-one with this promise from God in mind.

We can ask God every day to create in us a clean heart.

We can always return to God.

He is here for us just as the father in the parable if the prodigal son.

Maybe we do not deserve this great compassion and mercy from God,

but we can humbly recognize and accept it.

God is waiting for us to return to him as many times as is necessary

no matter how long we live.

Come to God with your frustrations;

 with how challenging it is to live virtuously every day.

God will touch your heart with love.

Jesus layed hands and prayed over the little children.

Perhaps his prayer over them was for their heart to

be open. Perhaps he prayed so that they would have the desire

firmly planted into their heart to return to God time after time.

Just for today imagine God praying over you...

praying for you...

laying his hands on you...

touching your heart.

If necessary return to your childhood and let God hold you.