Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." (Psalms 19:14)
 
Being acceptable to God is often thought of in terms of approved behavior.  So, if we assemble with the saints, practice the prescribed forms of worship, and live a fairly decent life, we are surely accepted by God!  However, the above passage suggests a deeper level of acceptability in which God approves of the thoughts of our heart!
 
This later requirement is far more challenging.  It means that God not only wants the outside but also the inside!  He not only desires for us to behave as he behaves but to think as he thinks.  He wants us to have the humble mindset like His son (Phil. 2:5) and to approve of only of His standard of moral excellence (Phil. 1:9,10).  We are to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”.(II Cor. 10:5) Therefore, we must learn to love only the things that God loves and to hate the things that God hates.  We must be merciful as God is merciful, patient as he is patient, and just as he is just.  We must learn to have the ambitions of God namely that His will be done!
 
Just how can we learn to have such a mindset?  The word “meditation” points to the proper route to our success. "“Let …the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.”"  Thus, the meditation of God’s law must be our delight (Ps. 1:2) and we must contemplate on His ways. (Ps. 119:15)  This will surely help us to achieve our desired goal!
 
by George Slover,

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:6,7) 

The pressures of the world can easily take their toll on the faith of any disciple. Perhaps Paul detects that the resolve of his “son in the faith” is weakening. Timothy needs courage to face the rising flood of challenges due to false teachers and wavering disciples. 

A solution to a weakening faith is to “remember”. Paul reminded Timothy of his roots – the faith of his mother and grandmother, and the wisdom of Scripture. (2 Timothy 3:15) Timothy must stir up the gift given to him. He is enjoined to rekindle or refuel the fire.

Paul reminds Timothy that he has been given the tools necessary to win the battle. These were attitudes of the heart that would aid Timothy in the middle of the fight.

Negatively, God had not given the “spirit of fear”. There is no place for cowards among spiritual leaders, or even among disciples. God specifically condemns the fearful.(Revelation 21:8) This detrimental attitude can silence us at times when we must proclaim God’s message, or entice us to comply with popular conduct.

Instead of fear, servants of Christ are fortified with power. God equips his children with the weapons that enable them to endure the persecution and reproaches. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

The spirit of love empowers his disciples to press on. Divine love will help make them sincere in their care for souls, tireless in labor, fearless in the midst of trials, and willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater cause. 

The spirit of self-control or sound judgment gives us a proper perspective. The child of God is guarded from the world’s solicitations by the discipline and wisdom of God. 

When we become prideful and self-dependent, we need to be reminded that without Christ we are nothing. When we are timid, we must be reminded of the courage of Christ. When distracted, we must remember we are just pilgrims in this world. When negligent, we must remember the responsibility is pressing, and the time is short.

By George Slover

 

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;  speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  (Ephesians 5:18,19)

When I was growing up I remember a favorite aunt of mine singing praises to God in the kitchen while she cooked.  At the time I did not fully appreciate this wonderful example as much as I do now.  In fact, one cannot successfully worship God in the assemblies unless he has been worshiping God during the week.  If I correctly understand the scene in Revelation, when we gather around the throne, we will for an eternity sing “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain”.   Since there is going to be so much singing in heaven it stands to reason that there should be a lot of singing on earth!
 
There is tremendous value in singing to God as we go through the day.  Such music should involve a declaration of biblical doctrines combined with the expression of our faith in those truths.  Spiritual songs can soothe a broken spirit (I Sam 16:19-23), teach and admonish a brother (Col. 3:16), reach the heart of a non-Christian (Acts 16:25), and help in time of temptation. (Ephesians 5:18,19)

The medicinal effects of music are strong.  If you’ve had problems with your marriage, or if you’ve been tempted with a personal sin, sing out!  Singing can soften the heart and help you to see the folly of your ways.  It is hard to sing “Amazing Grace” and sin at the same time.
So my brother sing out!  This is not an audition!  You’re making melody to the Lord, and one these days you will hear the host of heaven answering back for joy!
  
George Slover

By Ge

"Then the king said to Zadok, 'Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place. But if He says thus: 'I have no delight in you,' here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.'" (2 Samuel 15:25-26)

After David’s sin with Bathsheba, he was confronted by Nathan, the prophet.  David accepted the blame for his transgression.  Nathan promised David the “sword would not depart” from his house.  The days following were dark times in David’s household.  However, the words above demonstrate David’s full acceptance of the sin he has committed and the consequences to follow.  David placed his future in the hands of God.

In this context, trouble came to David’s house in the form of his own son.  Absalom gained popularity with the people and was ready to seize the throne.  It became apparent that David’s life was in danger, thus he and his followers left Jerusalem.  Included in the procession is Zadok, the priest with the Ark of the Covenant.  However, David urges Zadok to convey the Ark back to the city confident that if it is God’s will he will see it again.

From a human viewpoint, it might seem unfair that God would allow one as vain as Absalom to humiliate a godly man like David.  Yet, there is not a word of complaint from David.  He readily placed his life in the hands of a just God.  He knew the Lord reigns in righteousness and would perform only what was best.

Life often brings adversity.  Sometimes it is because of our poor choices, as was the case of David.  On other occasions, it may come because of the neglect or sin of others.  Many tragedies seem inexplicable.  “Why did this happen to me?”  Yet, often our greatest virtues grow out of such adversity.  It is during these times we may acknowledge our unworthiness and need for God’s mercy.

What a remarkable attitude in David!  “He will” if He “delights” in me.  There is not an ounce of selfishness or bitterness here.  God is over all and can do all!  It’s in God’s hands; he will do what is best.  Peter says: Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)  

George Slover