Clearing the Temple 5


Psalm 10:4

Every time we leave on a trip we go through the ritual of packing the van with all of our luggage – clothes, pillows, books, food, and on and on. Everything has to go in a certain way, the suitcases and boxes all fitting in an intricate pattern so that there is room for it all. If we don’t pack the van right we end up with something that won’t fit, and we risk not having all we need for our trip.

The same is true with our relationship with God. Our hearts and our minds, the things we desire and focus on, even the activities that we involve ourselves in only have so much room. We must fill our lives and our spirits with essential things and not allow other matters to push out what is important.

Psalm 10 makes an observation about attitudes. What does the psalmist say about the wicked person? Why does the wicked person not seek God?

We can sit in judgment of any person with the label of “wicked.” Surely a wicked person is one who causes hurt to others and is selfish in all ways. The wicked are not like us at all.

Or are they?

The psalmist explains that the wicked person does not seek God. Why not? Because of pride. The wicked person is so caught up in his own interests that he has no room in his thoughts for God.

Do those words describe us in any way? Do we allow our own interests and desires to crowd out God? It is so easy to get caught up in the business of work, spending time with friends and family, or watching all your favorite programs that you don’t have any room left for God.

We need to learn how to pack our hearts and minds with the right things so that we can be in a deep and rewarding relationship with our God. But before we do that we may need to clean out all the clutter that we have allowed to gather in our lives. We may need to clear a space in our hearts so that there is room enough for God.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you make more room for God in your life?

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