The Holy of Holies

Thoughts from my reading in Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy by Paul David Tripp.

I have formatted this with alternating color to break up the thoughts for easier reading. My thoughts are in blue.

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being. Psalm 51:6

In the holy of holies,
Where my deepest thought dwells.
In the secret place,
Of the heart,
Where no one sees,
And no one knows.

This is what I really am. When no one is around to see or hear.

In that place where worship,
Sets the course,
For all I say,
And all I do.

Of course, worship determines what I am. So just what do I worship?

In the holy of holies
Where thoughts,
Afraid to be verbal,
And desires,
Never quite spoken
Determine,
What I will seek,
And say,
And do.

In this private place, I ponder and dwell. What thoughts do I feed? Which ones are tended like a garden that will surely bear fruit?

In the holy of holies,
Where greed lurks dark,
And anger stands dangerous.

The battle rages. Good verses evil.

In the shadows,
Where lust captivates,
And envy enslaves.

Am I satisfied with what God has given or do I want something else? Do I trust Him to provide all I need or do I think He needs help from me?

In that sacred place,
Of the heart,
Where I plan what I will do,
And rehearse what I will say.

These deep thoughts are about to appear on the outside. Have I mastered them or will I blow it again?

In the holy of holies,
Where love is born,
Or succumbs to hate.
Where gentleness,
Falls to vengeance.

God is offering grace and strength. Will I accept it?

In that place where,
Thinking never ends,
And interpretations,
Become a way of seeing.

What is guiding my thinking? Does His Word become the filter?

In the holy of holies,
Where feelings grow in power,
And overwhelm,
What is sensible,
Good,
And true.

I don’t want this. I want good and truth to prevail.

In the holy of holies,
Where I stand naked,
All covering gone,
Before You,
What I am,
As I am,
Void of defense,
Stripped of excuse.
Nowhere to hide,
No reputation to polish.

You know the truth so well. You know when I really want help and when I am content to blunder along. You see me as I am.

In the place where You,
Can see,
And hear,
And know.
May you do there,
What I cannot do.
May you create there,
What only mercy can give.
May you hold back,
What I deserve,
And give what,
I could never earn.
May you create in me,
A clean heart.

I have failed. I need your help. Yes, I need mercy and forgiveness. Thank you that it comes freely and even more…a clean heart, a new beginning.

Take a Moment

Take time to celebrate God's jealous zeal to inhabit the holiest place in your heart without competition or challenge.

Thank you for pursuing me and for loving me when I didn’t care a bit about you. Thank you that you still do, every day as I stray, pulling me back on course without a hint of disgust.

Philip


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