Psalm 17:15
“As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.”
I remember years ago listening to Pastor Chuck Smith teaching from John 15 on the Vine and the branches. To illustrate our need to bear fruit, he asked, “What does a full grown tree look like?” Immediately, my mind was filled with visions of the massive Redwoods of Northern California. I remember, as a child, driving our car through a tunnel cut out of a tree in Humboldt County. After pausing to let the question sink in, he responded, “A full grown tree looks like firewood.” You see, a tree grows as long as it is alive. The moment it stops growing, is the moment it has died.
We are like that. Once we begin a relationship with God, a process known as “Sanctification” begins. Sanctification is the work that God does in our lives to make us more like Jesus. The process starts with God removing the things from our lives that are harmful to us. Drugs, alcohol, pornography, unhealthy relationships, and the like, are all laid down at the cross, when we first receive Christ. But that does not complete our growth. Christianity is not just about what we don’t do. It is much more about who we become. As daily, we invest in the Word of God, prayer, fellowship and service, we find that the characteristics of Christ are being birthed in us. Paul called those attributes the fruit of the Spirit. The more we grow in Christ, the more we become like Him, until one day, we like David, will see His face in righteousness and be satisfied.
Until that day, lets determine to grow in Christ, by abiding in Him daily.
Pastor Jim
Questions for Psalm 17
- David speaks of God visiting him in the night. It is often late at night when we cannot sleep that distractions are the fewest. Take some time tonight to wait on the Lord seeking Him for what He may say to you and your life circumstances.
- David determines not to sin with his mouth. In what ways do you need to guard your tongue today?
- What is David asking God to do for him in verses 8-9?
- When you surrender your life to Christ, He began a work of making you holy. Look at the closing verse of the chapter. What does it teach about when this process will be completed?
Old Testament:
Psalm 18- Drowning
1 Samuel 16- Distressing Spirit
1 Samuel 17- Oh My!
Jim Gallagher 