From Intimacy to Obedience

Have you ever had your own words come back to haunt you? A careless remark. A sharp outburst. A lie that seemed small at the time but grew into something you couldn't control. We all know that sting. During America's Watergate scandal in the 1970s, powerful men in Washington discovered just how destructive hidden thoughts and words can be. Secret tapes from President Nixon's office revealed conversations that toppled his presidency. Words meant for the inner circle spilled into the open and brought down the most powerful man in the world.  You and I, we both face that same danger when our hidden thoughts and words are far from honourable, amen?! King David knew that same danger in his own life. That's why he prayed this prayer: Psalm 19:14 May my words and thoughts please you. LORD, you are my Rock–the one who rescues me. Do you know what that is? It's a cry for integrity. Yesterday we saw that those who revere God are invited into His inner circle, where He reveals His unbreakable promises and even plucks their feet from the net. Out of that intimacy flows this yearning: Lord, let every word and every thought line up with Your heart. And in Christ, that prayer is fulfilled. He redeems us. He is our Rock. By His Spirit, He reshapes our desires. The more we draw close to Him, the deeper our yearning grows to obey Him in every way. Don't just control your tongue on the surface. Press into God's presence. Yearn for His intimacy. And let Him so transform your heart that every word, every thought, brings Him joy. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.