~ Read Job 31-32 Text, Audio
Lord God,
Your
commands call me to resist temptation, and your love compels me to
obey. Help me, gracious God, to live for your glory and honor you today.
I
do not allow my heart to be filled with lust, or tempted by the desire
for passion, because I know you have chosen me for something greater. I
know you have something in store for me that is better than anything
this world can offer me. My inheritance is much more valuable than any
earthly vice or pleasure.
Such
wickedness only creates problems. It hurts those I love, undermines my
relationships with them, and damages my relationship with you. For
though I try, I cannot hide what is in my heart from your sight. I
cannot keep you from seeing my lust, pride, envy, jealousy, hypocrisy,
greed, anger, or what have you, because you know all and see all.
I
know that I cannot lie to you or deceive you, Lord. You know exactly
what lingers in the darkest corners of my heart. You see my deepest
desires, and worst fears. You know the wounds and worries I carry around
from my own sins, as well as those that have been committed against me.
You know what keeps me up at night and causes me to weep because it
fills me with such despair that I feel hopeless. You know the mistakes
I’ve made in the past, as well as those I will make in the future. You
know everything about me Lord, so there is nothing for me to do but
throw myself upon your mercy and trust in your great justice?
Show
me where I have strayed from your pathway, Lord, and correct my
footsteps. Reveal the idols of my heart, and remove the sins they
create, that keep me from fully experiencing your abundant grace.
Replace them Lord, with your truth, so I can know you better. However, I
have sinned against you, and caused other's pain; I pray your justice
will be done. I pray you will hold me accountable for my sins, just as I
desire others to be held accountable for theirs; yet, I pray for your
mercy as well.
Though
I know it would be fitting, as Job once expressed, if the things, I had
done to others were done to me in return. However, I must confess Lord,
that the idea sends chills up my spine, and I cannot bear the thought
of how awful that might be. So while I pray for your justice, Lord, I
also pray for your mercy, and not only for myself, but also for those
who have sinned against me. For I realize Lord, that I cannot expect for
myself what I would deny to others. I cannot ask you to hold them
accountable and not me. I cannot expect you to show me mercy when I sin
against others, if I don’t pray for your mercy when they sin against me.
That would be unjust, and totally opposed to your nature.
Reveal
all my sin and purify my heart, today, gracious God. Show me once more,
the forgiveness and redemption that are mine through Jesus Christ.
Teach me to be like him. Shape my thoughts, words, and deeds so that I
can tell others about his truth and demonstrate his grace more
successfully.
I pray all these things in Jesus’ name through the power of his Spirit, Amen