June 14

Morning

Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. — Ps 37:4 BSB

The teaching of these words may seem surprising to those unfamiliar with true godliness, but to the sincere believer, it’s a well-known truth. The life of a believer is described here as a delight in God, showing that true religion overflows with happiness and joy. Ungodly people and mere religious professors never see godliness as joyful; to them, it’s a duty, a necessity, or something they must do to gain something, but never a source of pleasure or delight. For most people, the idea of delighting in Christ is so foreign that “holiness” and “delight” are two words that couldn’t be further apart in their minds. But believers who know Christ understand that faith and joy are so deeply connected that even the gates of hell cannot separate them. Those who love God with all their hearts find that His ways are full of pleasantness, and all His paths are peace.

Such joy, such overflowing happiness, such rich blessings are found by the saints in their Lord that they would follow Him even if the whole world cast out His name as evil. We don’t love God out of compulsion. Our faith is not a burden, and our profession of faith is not bondage. We aren’t dragged into holiness or forced into Christian duty. No, our piety is our pleasure, our hope is our happiness, and our duty is our delight!

Holiness and delight are as connected as the root and the flower; they are like two precious jewels set side by side in a setting of gold!

Evening

O LORD, we are covered with shame—our kings, our leaders, and our fathers—because we have sinned against You. — Dan 9:8 BSB

A deep awareness and understanding of sin—its vileness and the punishment it deserves—should humble us before God’s throne. We have sinned, even as Christians. How tragic that it is so! Despite the favor we’ve received, we have been ungrateful; though we’ve been given more privileges than most, we have not produced fruit in proportion to our blessings. Who among us, even those long engaged in the Christian life, would not blush when reflecting on the past?

As for our pre-conversion days, may God forgive and forget them. But since then, though we haven’t sinned in the same way as before, we have sinned against greater light and greater love—light that has truly penetrated our minds and love that we have experienced and rejoiced in. Oh, how terrible the sin of a pardoned soul! An unpardoned sinner’s sin is one thing, but how much worse is the sin of one of God’s chosen, one who has had communion with Christ and rested their head on Jesus’ chest.

Look at David! Many speak of his sin, but don’t forget to look at his repentance—hear his broken bones as each one groans out its confession! Watch his tears fall to the ground and listen to the deep sighs that accompany the gentle music of his harp. We too have erred, and we should seek the same spirit of repentance.

Look again at Peter! We talk much of Peter’s denial of his Master, but remember, it is written, “He wept bitterly.” Do we have no denials of our own to grieve over with tears? Alas, if it weren’t for God’s sovereign mercy that has made us different, snatching us like brands from the fire, our sins, before and after conversion, would condemn us to eternal flames! My soul, humble yourself under the weight of your sinfulness, and worship your God. Marvel at the grace that saves you, the mercy that spares you, and the love that pardons you!