Fast 2012 Devotion – Day 9

Topic: Looking deep inside ourselves.
Author: Alicia Hussey

Romans 8:5-6
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Psalm 51
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
2 Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
3 For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just.
5 For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 But you desire honesty from the womb,
teaching me wisdom even there.

7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.
14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
15 Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise you.

16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
18 Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.

Hebrews 4:12 (New Living Translation) 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Hebrews 4:12 (New International Version) 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 (Amplified Version) 12For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

“One of the reasons for fasting is to know what is in us…in fasting it will come out. You will see it. And you will have to deal with it quickly or smother it again.” -John Piper

Today is day 9 and you only have a couple days remaining! Now it is time to get up close and personal.
The fact is we ALL have our stuff! There is not one person reading this today who doesn’t have issues, insecurities, areas of pride, doubt, or shame that cause us to be divided from God’s perfect plan for our life. As John Piper makes very clear, fasting will reveal to us those things that need to be dealt with. It’s then our decision whether we allow God to lead us as we work through our issues or if we are going to push that issue down one more time. Today, you have a chance to allow God to search your heart. When he points out the things that are not pleasing to him and are a detriment to you, you then need to choose what you do. Allow God to help you begin to work through what’s keeping you from His best for your life and freedom will be the result!

Hopefully throughout these past five days, you have worked to spend some more time with God and in his word than you normally would. Let’s take a look at the work of God’s word as it deals with what is happening in our hearts. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God’s word is alive and powerful. When we spend time earnestly seeking God through his word we cannot avoid beginning to see issues that we have in the motives and thoughts of our heart. Chances are, as you have spent more time in his word this week, you have already begun to sense God tugging on your heart in certain areas. Allow God’s word to do its work and take the steps to respond to what he shows you.

Prayer:
God thank you for the power of your word and the power of your Holy Spirit that empowers us to desire change. God, today I acknowledge just as David acknowledged in Psalm 51 that I am sinful, that I am in need of your incredible mercy! Would you pour of your forgiveness and grace on me today as I search to align my life with the commandments in your word.