Week 1 - Coming Undone
Worship
Spend some time worshipping Jesus because he is worthy of it! Isn't it wonderful that we have a God who shows us mercy when we humble ourselves before him. Enter his courts with thanksgiving and his gates with praise. Posturing our hearts to hear from God through worship is very important. Through worship we cut through the distractions of our life and environment and get our hearts to pay attention to the Lord, positioning ourselves to offer our hearts to God to praise him genuinely and to hear from him clearly.
Today I encourage you to set your heart on Christ as you listen to and meditate on “Good Good father” by Chris Tomlin (House Fires Version).
Scripture
Isaiah 57:14-21 NIV
14 And it will be said:
“Build up, build up, prepare the road!
Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”
15 For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 I will not accuse them forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then they would faint away because of me—
the very people I have created.
17 I was enraged by their sinful greed;
I punished them, and hid my face in anger,
yet they kept on in their willful ways.
18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
19 creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
which cannot rest,
whose waves cast up mire and mud.
21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
Devotional
In this passage of scripture God speaks to his people who have been rebelling against him. God doesn’t sweep their sin under the rug, but he also does not reject them. We read that God is ‘... with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” and “I have seen his ways, but I will heal him”. Yes God is opposed sin, but he shows incredible mercy and favour to those who humble themselves before him. We also read in scripture, “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love.”(Psalm 33:18) and “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) It is a wonderful thing to relent and approach God in humility, admitting that we have not been walking in obedience to him and asking him for help and for his mercy. Reflect on the wonderful love of God today that as you come to him in repentance he has promised to heal you, revive your heart, and give you grace!
Prayer
Spend some time in prayer, humbling yourself before God and asking him for his help and mercy today. Admit that you cannot see victory over sin today without him, and pray for his grace to meet you in all situations, the ones you know about and the unexpected moments.