Faith in God who is gracious

Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath;
a fire was kindled against Jacob;
his anger rose against Israel,
because they did not believe in God
and did not trust his saving power.
Yet he commanded the skies above
and opened the doors of heaven,
and he rained down on them manna to eat
and gave them the grain of heaven.
- Psalm 78:21-24 (ESV)

Without faith, no one can please God.
God's grace abounds even though He is angry against sins and unbelief.

Watch out! God is out to get you!

One way or another, He will get you, no matter who you are.

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.
- Psalm 67:1-4

I want to be with the LORD

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
- Psalm 51:7-10

O LORD, be gracious to me

John Owen said "be killing sin, or it will be killing you."
How true it is. It has been a tough couple of days for me. I almost wished that God wouldn't have revealed this sin in my life, for it is so painful to me. Yet, how can I wish that when I know that it is because God is working on me that I now see this sin as it is. God is not only working in me, but also on me. And as long as He is working on me, I will not lose hope.

"O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!"
- Psalm 41:4

Forgive me, O Lord, be merciful to me. Purify me of my sins and restore me.

God, my exceeding joy.

Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!

The I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.

Psalm 43:3-5

God doesn't just give me joy, He IS my joy, my exceeding joy.

God is not just the saviour who saves me, but He IS the salvation.

Being saved does not just mean that you are forgiven of hating and ignoring God, but it also means that you are now given a new heart that loves and honours God.