ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Strength and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14)

The words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart are the expressions of our person. It is "out of the abundance of the heart" that the mouth speaks (Matt 12:34). From the heart also proceed "thoughts" and "intentions," or purposes (Matt 15:19; Heb 4:12). The glorious salvation we receive in Christ addresses the matter of the heart. Praise the Lord! Outside of Christ, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jer 17:9). What is more, the Lord "searches" the heart and "tests" the mind, excluding none from His scrutiny (1 Chron 28:9; Psa 44:21; Jer 17:10). This is most intimidating to anyone unreconciled to God, and thus it should be.

The individual, however, to whom "the Lord will not impute sin" (Rom 4:8) invites the searching eye of God to look upon him. The reason for the invitation is not that the person imagines there is nothing corrupt within. Nor, indeed, does such an individual think himself incapable of doing what it wrong. The request of our text reflects the desire of every humble and contrite heart. It is the longing to be fully acceptable to the Lord, with no occasion of blame within. Faith constrains its possessor to long for the thorough approval of the One Who has saved us.

David knew that considering iniquity in his heart would void his prayers (Psa 66:18). He sensed, although living long before "the day of salvation," that the words of our mouth can be an acceptable sacrifice to God (1 Pet 2:5). He also realized his own impotence to bring his words and thoughts into Divine acceptance. Thus he sought Divine assistance.

When the Psalmist says "Let the words . . . ," He is inviting the Lord to search Him thoroughly. Elsewhere he says the same thing, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts" (Psa 139:23). Here is the cry of a soul that loves the Lord, a person who longs to dwell in His courts. He knows the Lord cannot and will not "accept" a person whose words are defiled and heart is contaminated. He knows a pure God delights in purity.

David wants to know if there is anything in him that is offensive to the Lord–anything. He depends upon the Lord making known what He finds, allowing the man of God to praise the Lord for any goodness found in him. He also relies upon the Lord to point him to matters that must be confessed as sin and abandoned. In his words and perceptions the Psalmist has spoken for every believer. He has voiced the very desire of our heart. How glorious to take his words into our mouths and hearts.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I want to be pure in Your sight, and pleasing to You. In Jesus' name, help me to bring joy to You by my words and thoughts.

-- Monday: RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH --