I know that the times when I feel distant from God are often the times I'm most tempted to sin.
Why bother? Why try so hard, after all? I'm already so imperfect. God's probably already angry with me--or maybe He doesn't even care. Psalm 101:2~ I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart... I feel King David had one of the most personal and close relationships with God in the Bible--not in spite of, but because of his eventful life. He went through enough material for several movie scripts--rugged adventures as the rustic shepherd boy; the rags to riches glory climb; court intrigues and glamour; countless wars and military adventures; exile; countless brushed with death; marrying the king's daughter; playing Robin Hood; wandering in the desert; a rebellion; another exile... Throughout his rocky life, David definitely experienced many times when he drifted away, for all the same reasons we face today (anger, grief, bitterness, distraction, complacency, pride, sin...and the list goes on.) But from his experiences, David knew what to do when he felt distant from God. His spiritual lows were the times he needed to cling more than ever to righteousness, when he needed to shun sin most. The rest of Psalm 101 is a detailed and determined description of how David would actively apply his resolve to live righteously, in his lifestyle, in his surroundings, in the company he kept and the decisions he made. As a mighty king, the very peak of an illustrious court and a powerful nation, David's resolve would have had drastic and widespread results. His family; his servants; his courtiers; his officers; his people; even his allies and enemies. A whole nation would be transformed when its king was determined: "I will not know wickedness." Justice and righteousness would blossom, while corruption and cruelty would be crushed. And best of all, David knew that God's presence would return to him. We may not have even a shadow of David's power and influence, but we can trust that when we resolve to stay pure, to the extent David did--especially when we feel distant from God--it will bless us, and bless those around us as well. And best of all, it will help bring us back to God.
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