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Psalm 18:20-24  

The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I am not guilty of turning from my God. All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

God blesses obedience. He rewards us according to the cleanness of our hands. Obedience is not always easy. There are times our obedience is like a spiritual reflex…an automatic response; other times it is the hardest thing we will ever do. But when believers submit to the Spirit’s control and follow His leading, blessings follow.

David is not claiming perfection in today’s passage. David’s life had many chapters he would just as soon have deleted. But in this particular stretch of his life he reminded God that he was staying on the right path. He was ready for God’s “well done” stamp of approval.

I can’t promise what the rewards of obedience will look like. Sometimes they may be tangible; other times they may take the form of an inner sense of peace and satisfaction. They may be immediate; other times they may be delayed for years…or even for this lifetime. But the bottom line is this: God blesses obedience.

Father, I want to be able to describe this next stretch of my life like David described this particular stretch of his life. Give me the strength I need to keep my hands clean in Your sight. In Jesus’ name. Amen.