THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus
Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Lord, are you sure you didn’t overlook me on this one? Why didn’t you give me the gift of discerning the true condition of someone heart? You can trust me to put those whose hearts are not fully devoted to you in their place. I’ll point out their errors while I punch their ticket for the guilt trip train. And how did you overlook the psalmist when distributing this gift? Like me, he would have been excellent at pointing out others’ faults.

Lord, forgive my sarcasm. I’m being foolish, mocking those religious critics who take it upon themselves to hold others to an unattainable higher faith. Only you attained that perfection while you walked among us.

Self-righteous people can be annoying. Their holier-than-thou attitudes belittle the grace you freely give. Fortunately, you have spiritual chainsaws that cut off the legs of their spiritual high-horses. Judgmentalism blinds us from seeing others as you see us. The psalmist viewed these misguided believers and took action to avoid joining that fraternity.

“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge …” (Psalm 73:28 NLT).

Remembering the pain from his wandering, the psalmist vowed never to return to that spiritual wilderness. Keeping his mind continually on you guaranteed staying close to you. Fleeing to you for refuge, he found the peace he needed and the stability his erratic soul sought. Living in rebellion against you is no way to live.

For over 3500 years, this truth hasn’t changed. Lord, we pray those who call you Lord will find that same peace and stability for our souls, that we may be near you. Riding our judgmental high horse is such a bumpy ride.

Amen, Jesus.