Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

If you have children, you know that from the moment their eyes open in the morning, they are on a mission to injure themselves. My oldest daughter, Scottie, was carved right out of my behind. Like her father, she lives with reckless abandon and has little regard for safety. In an 8-month period, she had her head stapled, her chin stitched, and then her head stapled a second time. When you bring a child to the ER with certain injuries, they will ask the parent questions to see if something nefarious is going on. We received this interview during the first visit. On the second visit, we were practically kindred spirits with the medical staff, and the interview was very casual. By the third visit, who knows what they were thinking? When Scottie gets a scrape or cut, you can offer a band-aid with some cool design, and that will pretty much resolve the issue. Unfortunately, that just treats the symptoms of the disease. The band-aid will protect the cut or scrape but doesn’t address the root of the problem. Scottie, much like her father, has what many medical journals refer to as knucklehead syndrome. It seems to be hereditary, and there is no cure.

In Psalm 51, we see a prayer of repentance by David. He has broken all kinds of commandments. But why isn’t David praying for sexual restraint? Why isn’t he praying for protected eyes? Why isn’t he praying for men to hold him accountable? He knows his sexual sin is a symptom and not the disease. In verse 10, he says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. He’s crying out to God for something greater than the Law. He wants a new nature that is rewired and reborn. David took his failing and breaking as a way in which to cry out to God, which the Law couldn’t fix. Verse 12 says, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” This disease is cured by seeking the joy and gladness found in Christ. We waver because our spirits are not steadfast and firm and established. We must give God the supreme place in our feelings and thoughts.

The best part about chapter 51 is when David says in verse 13, “I will teach your transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” I pray my children have their eyes opened to the cure for their disease of sin and are restored to a right relationship as they grow older. For now, we will keep a heavy stock of band-aids on the shelf.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

The Way of Jesus: 7 Marks of Discipleship

As we begin a new series, we encourage you to lean into the 7 Marks of Discipleship each week. The 7 Marks of Discipleship provide a simple tool to help us identify areas where we are thriving in our calling and where we can grow. Check here each week for a new 7 Marks Challenge that will encourage you to follow Jesus closer every day.