Psalm 26:1

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity; I have (relied on and) trusted (confidently) in the Lord without wavering and I shall not slip. 

When we have done all we know to do, we keep standing on the Word. Our answer is coming, and our vindication is around the corner. We have trusted in the Lord and have not slipped. Then we keep standing because we have the Word of God, and God will not leave us helpless.

Daniel 9:13

Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this tragedy has come on us. Yet we have not wholeheartedly begged for forgiveness and sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from wickedness and paying attention to and placing value in Your truth. 

God loves us so much that He does not want us to fall into sin. When we humbly seek His forgiveness and turn away from sin, we will be forgiven. God’s love for us does not grow cold; staying under His protective wings is the best way to walk through this life.

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to (everlasting) life, and there are few who find it.  

We have free will and choices in this life. We can choose to follow our desires and deny God to pursue sin, or we can choose eternal life. The path to follow God will be more difficult and less traveled. However, we are not alone. Jesus will walk it with us, making sure we get to the destination. It all depends on us.  

Matthew 26:28

For this is My Blood of the (new and better) covenant, which (ratifies the agreement and) is being poured out for many (as substitutionary atonement) for the forgiveness of sins. 

The Bible is more than words written about history. The Bible declares the covenant that God has made with Jews and those who believe in Jesus as the savior. It’s the promises made by God to us for our lives and eternal life. It is real, living and active every day. All it needs is for us to plug into the Bible and believe in the power of God to become active in our lives. 

1 Peter 2:1-2

So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and hateful speech; like a newborn baby (you should) long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation (its ultimate fulfillment).

Our salvation is the key to letting go of the past and all the emotional turmoil the unsaved mind used to focus on. We clean the slate and relearn how to think, react, and respond to circumstances. Where we used to hate, we walked away in love. When we used to criticize, we now speak encouragement. 

1 Peter 1:15

But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct (be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage) because it is written, “You shall be Holy (set apart), for I am Holy.”

God calls us to be set apart and Holy before Him as He is Holy. We must monitor our thoughts, actions, words, and behavior. We must make ourselves behave and not let the flesh control us but our spirit. God calls us to be His example here on earth, requiring us to have good character.

Jude 1:20-21

But you, beloved, build yourselves up on (the foundation of) your most holy faith (continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher), pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 

We should consider our faith a never-ending building project. Each level is a different phase requiring different levels of expertise. Our knowledge of God and our depth of faith continue to increase with each new level of experience we gain from life. The Bible is the plan or blueprint we constantly refer to and keeps us on track.

James 4:14

Yet you do not know (the least thing) about what may happen in your life tomorrow. (What is secure in your life?) You are merely a vapor (like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot) that is visible for a little while and then vanishes (into thin air).

We need to live our best lives today! Our lives don’t start with a goal, vacation, or some future event. Our lives are in this current moment. Pause! Where are you in this moment? When we understand how valuable each moment/day is, we will learn to use it focused on what is good. The Word of God cancels the noise and will help us create value in the moments. 

James 5:11

You know we call those blessed (happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God) who were steadfast and endured (difficult circumstances). You have heard of the patient endurance of Job and you have seen the Lord’s outcome (how He richly blessed Job). The Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.  

No one wants to experience difficult circumstances and the fear of the unknown outcome. That is where our faith in God will walk us through the challenges. When we believe in God and trust in Him, we believe He carries us through. We are strengthened in trials, tested, and rewarded if we keep the faith. 

Numbers 15:39-40

It shall be a (blue) tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, so that you do not follow after (the desires of) your own heart and eyes, (desires) after which you used to follow and play the prostitute, so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy (set apart) to your God.

We need reminders in our lives not to be willfully disobedient to God. The devil is sneaky, enticing, and constantly trying to attract our eyes to turn away from God. If we remain on guard and turn away from distractions, we will keep ourselves set apart for God. It matters where we focus and keep our guard up.