Day Twenty Seven: Steadfast (Psalm 17:3-5)

"You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.

You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong.
​I am determined not to sin in what I say. 

I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people.

My steps have stayed on your path, I have not wavered from following you."

Psalm 17:3-5 NLT
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Purity.
Devotion.
Faithfulness. 
These are the words that come to mind when I read this Psalm of David's.

David had up-and-down feelings;
He had an up-and-down life.
But he did not have an up-and-down faith. 

David remained steadfast. 

Steadfast (adj.)
1. Fixed in direction
2. Firm in purpose
3. Unwavering

David was passionate about knowing God- and not letting anything or anyone come between having a deep, intimate relationship with him. 

Not sin.
Not relationships.
Not pride.
Not any distraction.
Not even service to God.

His seemingly unrivaled, passionate pursuit lies in stark contrast to our current culture which glorifies immorality, apathy, infidelity and busyness.

With all these things pulling at us, what is the secret to steadfast faith?

David shares his "secret" in Psalm 27:4, when he says, "This one thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all of the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple."

One thing,
One sole focus--
Knowing Christ.

How can we be steadfast for Christ? 
Because Jesus was steadfast for us.

Just think about it-
He came to earth, confining His God-self to a human body.
He persevered through mockery, scorn and shame to live a sinless life on our behalf.
He endured being whipped within an inch of death, then torturous crucifixion.

And we were the one thing on His mind, the whole. entire. time.

Even now, Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, doing what--
Resting?
Soaking up the glory?

No- God's Word says He is interceding for us. Every moment. Even right now. (Romans 8:34)

We were, are, and always will be the one thing on Jesus' mind.

The more I dwell in the the Lord, seeking Him, gazing upon His beauty, the more I come to understand His love and know Him more intimately.

Suddenly the glitz and glamor of the world and all its trappings pale.

Paul understood this. In Philippians 3 he wrote, "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him." (Phil. 3:8-9)

When culture tempts and taunts me with worldly cares, may I focus on this One thing.

I'm not where I want to be, in this area- but I'm not where I used to be. As I've dwelled on what it means to be steadfast over the past several days, the cry of my heart has been that of David's in Psalm 51:10--

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me." 

Dwelling in Him,