“I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. . .I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”
Psalm 101:2
Our biggest battles are won before the first shot is fired or the first blow is given.
Commitment and consecration.
Those are the key words in today’s Manna as David reminds us of how to live a holy life before the Lord. We are not saved by our works; however, it is by our works that true faith is revealed (James 1:19-4:17; 5:7-20; Mt. 7:16, 20).
That’s why we must be pro-active in our faith if we are to be victorious. Woe to any who think they can wait until a time of testing to “see what they’re made of;” such procrastination and presumption will only reveal the strength of the flesh and weakness of the spirit. Much better is to say with David “I will behave myself wisely (Heb. ‘sakal’—‘circumspect, intelligently, prudently, wittingly, etc.’) in a perfect (Heb. ‘tamiym’—‘entire, morally without blemish, integrity, truth, undefiled, upright, etc.’) way. . .I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”
Thus, it’s clear such behaving and walking are not by accident.
No, they are intentional acts of the will motivated by the Father’s Love and our love for Him.
There’s no doubt the anonymous author of Ps. 119 had this in mind when he repeatedly talked about “seeking the Lord with the whole heart” (vv.2, 9, 34). . . “cleansing himself by taking heed to His Word” (v.9). . . “delighting himself in and not forgetting His Word” (vv.16, 47, 77, 103, 174, 176). . .“hoping in His Word” (vv. 81, 114, 147), etc.
He knew “growing in Grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (II Pet. 3:18) doesn’t happen by accident or osmosis. It’s the result of wholehearted, “consecrated commitment” that will not rest so long as there’s a single pocket of resistance in our lives.
And, what motivates such commitment?
Quite simply: His Love for us. . .and our love for Him (Ps. 119:47, 88, 97, 113, 119, 127, 140, 159, 165, 167).
Yes, it’s the cry of the “longing soul” (Ps. 119:174) that “hungers and thirsts for Him” (Mt. 5:6). And, the Lord has promised that we will “find Him when we seek for Him with all of our heart” (Jer. 29:13-14; Mt. 7:7-11). Hallelujah!!
The Apostle John said “If we love one another, God dwells in us and His Love is perfected (Grk. ‘teleioo’—‘completed, accomplished, consummated, consecrated, finished, fulfilled, etc.’) in us” (I Jn. 4:12). Even those in the Body who are “feeble shall be as David” (Zech. 12:8) when wholehearted commitment is the order of the day.
There’s no doubt Jesus died and rose again “to save them to the uttermost (Grk. ‘panteles’—‘full-ended, entire, completely, wholly, etc.’) who come to God by Him” (Heb. 7:25a). His is a complete salvation, not a partial one. Therefore, let us not hinder Him from His full ministry through unbelief (Mt. 13:58); instead, let us say “I’m going to conduct myself in a Christlike way and walk within my house with a perfect heart.” Amen and amen.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated October 10, 2009
That was apt and impactful. Thanks for sharing.