Morning Devotional 040625 God Restores Glory

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  April 6, 2025

Psalm 51:5-12

5 Yes, I was born in guilt, in sin, from the moment my mother conceived me. 6 And yes, you want truth in the most hidden places; you teach me wisdom in the most secret space. 7 Purify me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and celebration again; let the bones you crushed rejoice once more. 9 Hide your face from my sins; wipe away all my guilty deeds! 10 Create a clean heart for me, God; put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me! 11 Please don’t throw me out of your presence; please don’t take your holy spirit away from me. 12 Return the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me with a willing spirit.

Good Morning. Create in me a clean heart!

Take a minute and imagine a trip to the dump. As you look around, you see broken and discarded items. Some have dents and dings, others are rusted, and some are so disfigured they are no longer recognizable. What is your first thought as you examine the desolation? 

Do you dump your own “trash” and go home? Do you think, “Oh, look, I might be able to salvage that!” It is unlikely that most of us see the mess and think, “Oh, wow! Look at the possibilities!” 

 Joel 2:28, which states, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." 

Through the Holy Spirit, God can transform even those disfigured beyond recognition to the glory that is hidden beneath the earthly tents into which we are born. God looks out and sees beauty brimming with opportunities to change the world so that all might have eternal life and feast at the heavenly banquet table. 

Loving Lord, Maker of all things! Oh, Lord, we are such a mess. We are broken in body and spirit. We are lost in the darkness. Thank you for sending Your light so that we may find our way home. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: God offers love, mercy, and forgiveness to all who call!

God restores glory to the broken! Pastor Liz