The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. – Psalm 145:18
“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” The tradition of requiring witnesses to take an oath traces back to the Roman Empire. The earliest codification of Roman law states that perjurers “shall be hurled down from the Tarpeian Rock,” according to Cicero in the Law of The Twelve Tables.
Baring your whole heart before God can pose more of a challenge than some want to admit. The idea of being seen in all of your sin or unbelief does not feel safe for those with histories of abuse or rejection. You might, almost done without thinking, find yourself carefully choosing words as you pray to God, minimizing the ugliness of your sinful and faithless humanity.
So what do you do with the pain and resentment of life? How do you handle bewilderment and doubt? David is an example. As he was becoming king, he prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart!“ (Psalm 139:23). Consider praying that same prayer. You will discover, as David did, that when you give God your whole heart, He gives you His in return. He pours faith, forgiveness, comfort, healing, and hope from Himself into you. Jesus declared, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free“ (John 8:32).
While it sometimes appears that few are seeking truth in society right now, be encouraged. As God’s people lay their lives before Him, honestly confessing their sin and seeking His blessing, He will respond with grace and love.
Today’s Verse: Psalm 145:18
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 32:5-10
I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.
7 You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
