True godliness is not measured by religious ritual but by a continually growing development of Christlike qualities reflected in a godly mindset, private devotion to prayer, and selfless actions to meet the needs of others.
The Lord calls all His children to live consistent, godly lives. The Bible does not leave us to guess what such a life looks like. The apostle Paul gives us some key elements of godly spiritual maturity in Romans 12.
God gives the spiritual gifts and the faith to exercise them effectively in His church. Our responsibility is to faithfully and humbly employ them in His service. This may not always bring thanks or praise, but it will bring glory to our God.
It is not uniformity but unity that is needed in the church, the body of Christ. As diverse members of that body, we have each been uniquely gifted to contribute to the unity of God's family to His ultimate glory.
The will of God is not something we should fret about or agonize over. If we are following God's written Word and seeking to please Him, we can be sure we are walking in His will.
Sacrifice is at the heart of all true worship of God. God calls us to offer our lives, in every part and in every detail--everything we say, do, and think--in sacrifice to Him and in gratitude to Him. This is worship, and it is the only reasonable response to God and His work.
It is impossible with our finite minds to fully grasp the mind and ways of God. But the Bible makes this much very clear: Who God is and what He has done--and is doing--demands that we give Him all glory, forever.
God's plan for Jews and Gentiles, for believers and unbelievers, is clearly set forth for us in Scripture. So, too, is His "exit strategy," the divinely established means of reaching a new, eternal home once we leave this world behind.
God's grace leaves no place for arrogance. As we understand His gracious work of salvation in our lives, we should humbly, thankfully, turn our thoughts toward the Lord, acknowledging Him for who He is, exalting Him, and submitting to His transforming work in us.
Psalm 51 records David’s heartfelt confession after his sin with Bathsheba, and Stephen Davey explains it as a model of genuine repentance. He begins with David’s petition—a plea for mercy based on God’s steadfast love. Aware of the weight of his guilt, David asks God to blot out his transgressions, wash away his iniquity, and cleanse him from sin. The second step is admission: David accepts full responsibility, refusing to blame others and acknowledging his fallen nature. His sin, he admits, flows from the sinful heart of humanity inherited from Adam. Next comes restoration: David pleads, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” recognizing that only divine power can renew what sin has corrupted. Finally, his resolution is to teach others from his failure—to lead sinners back to God through honesty and repentance. Davey concludes that true confession involves humble honesty, complete dependence on God’s mercy, and a transformed resolve to live transparently before Him, proving that no sin is too great for God’s restoring grace.
In The Voice of Creation (Psalm 19:1–8a), Stephen Davey contrasts Carl Sagan’s hopeless view of a silent universe with David’s joyful proclamation that creation declares the glory of God. Davey explains that the heavens continually reveal God’s signature, wisdom, and grace—a universal testimony to His power and creativity. The beauty, complexity, and order of nature point unmistakably to a Designer, but this general revelation alone cannot save; it must be joined with the special revelation of God’s Word. David moves from calling God El (Creator) to Yahweh (personal Redeemer), showing that Scripture revives the soul, makes the simple wise, and causes the heart to rejoice. Davey concludes that while creation proves God’s existence, His Word reveals His character and plan of redemption. Believers, therefore, should worship the Creator revealed both in the world around us and in the inspired Word that leads us back to Him.
Psalms 42–44 open the second book of Psalms, where Stephen Davey explains that God invites believers to pour out their hearts to Him with complete honesty. The sons of Korah—descendants of a rebel who chose faithfulness—wrote of spiritual dryness and discouragement: “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Davey notes that even when God seems silent, He is never absent. These psalms teach believers to trust and wait for the Lord, declaring, “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” In Psalm 44, this personal trust expands to national suffering as Israel endures consequences for sin yet clings to God’s covenant faithfulness. Paul later cites this psalm to remind believers that suffering is not abandonment but evidence of spiritual maturity. Through these lessons, Davey encourages believers to be honest with God, steadfast in hope, and confident that even in dry seasons, God remains their salvation and strength.
This lesson from Deuteronomy 16–26 emphasizes God's righteousness as the standard for all of life. Moses reviews the importance of righteous leadership—judges, kings, priests, and prophets—who are called to uphold justice and truth. God's laws are revisited to guide Israel in holy living, covering areas like inheritance, morality, and societal order. These commands act like protective boundaries, showing how a righteous person should live. Finally, Israel’s worship is tied to gratitude and public acknowledgment of God's faithfulness. The lesson encourages believers to live righteously, not just privately but visibly, so the world sees God's wisdom and character through them.
Psalm 19:8b–14 teaches that God’s Word is flawless, enduring, and deeply valuable—more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. Unlike the temporary treasures of this world, Scripture enlightens the heart, exposes sin, renews fellowship with God, and guides believers in righteousness. David celebrates the Bible as a timeless revelation that cleanses, corrects, and delights those who cherish it, reminding readers to treasure and obey God’s Word as their greatest source of wisdom and joy.
