May 7th - Hungering for His Holiness

Hungering for His Holiness

(Psalm 42; 53; 58; 81; 101)

Equine Blinders

Artist Unknown

Have you ever wondered why many carriage horses and parade mounts wear blinders? The answer is simple: their masters wish to minimize distractions, so they can hold the equines’ attention. What a concept.

Although God does not instruct us to wear blinders, as such, is it possible that He may ask us to turn a blind eye to certain elements within the world? What sorts of distractions might prove harmful to a heart that longs to be holy?

The Ache of Conviction

One of today’s Bible passages, Psalm 101, is particularly convicting to me. Perhaps you feel the same way.

“I will sing of Your love and justice;

to You, O Lord, I will sing praise.

I will be careful to lead a blameless life –

when will You come to me?

I will walk in my house

with blameless heart.

I will set before my eyes no vile thing.

The deeds of faithless men I hate;

they will not cling to me.

Men of perverse heart shall be far from me;

I will have nothing to do with evil.

Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,

him will I put to silence

whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart,

him will I not endure.

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,

that they may dwell with me;

he whose walk is blameless

will minister to me.

No one who practices deceit

will dwell in my house;

no one who speaks falsely

will stand in my presence.

Every morning I will put to silence

all the wicked in the land;

I will cut off every evildoer

from the city of the Lord.”

(Psalm 101, NIV – emphasis added)

What vile things might we put before our eyes, if we are not paying close attention?

Even if we shun pornography, graphic violence and overt occult practices, might we be allowing questionable input into our lives?

How might our choices of books, magazines, comics, television programs, movies, theater, concerts, video games, music, websites and other sights detract from our delight in the Lord? Do we exercise discernment in monitoring the images we allow to become impressed upon our memory banks?

Psalm 101 speaks of blameless ministers. Although this sounds like an unreachable paragon of purity, the truth is penetrating. Do we choose wisely the ones we allow to influence us? Are we willing to seek the Lord’s wisdom, as we select those to whom we will listen most closely? Do we take hold of God’s Holy Spirit boldness to confront leaders who teach falseness or those who persist in pursuing unrighteousness living?

The Psalm closes with a promise to silence wickedness. Are we willing to power-off any worldly influences in our lives? Will we change the channel at the first prick of conscience, or will we linger for a second look?

If we persist in peeking at vileness, what cravings might it create within us?

White-Tailed Deer

Public Domain Photo

Certainly, we can become so preoccupied with rooting out potentially harmful images and influences in our lives, that we actually focus too much upon them. The Lord calls us to a more positive approach. If we allow God and His Word to fill our hearts and our lives, then we will have no room for questionables. Surely, our all-sufficient God is more than enough.

May God kindle an unquenchable fire of hunger for His holiness in our hearts.

This morning, the Lord impressed me poetically with thoughts from the familiar and beloved Psalm 42.

Will you pray with me?

A Thirst Unrehearsed

As doe dreams of drinking from waters borne pure,

May God grant to me holy thirst to endure.

‘Mid taunting and tears, I have mourned in the night,

Desiring Your holiness, precious pure light.

Recalling the days when I served You in full,

Possessed by Your mercy and Your sacred pull.

I’d raise up my hands and rejoice in Your Name,

Parading with pleasure to sound Your acclaim.

What happened, dear Lord, to disquiet my soul?

Refill me, O Spirit, Your favor my goal.

As deep calls to deep, may my longings profound

Be met in Your presence, where praises resound.

By day and by night, may Your song fill my heart,

A prayer in response to the grace You impart.

My God and my Rock, be forever my end,

In mercies eternal my sorrows to mend.

What happened, dear Lord, to disquiet my soul?

Refill me, O Spirit, Your favor my goal.

Amen.