Listen to the audio devotional above, and/or read the written devotional below.
VENOMOUS
They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter. Psalm 58:4-5
Scripture reveals that, through salvation in Jesus Christ, we’ve been saved from the penalty of sin; and that in the strength of Christ’s might, we’ve been empowered while on our earthly sojourn to overcome sin and temptation; moreover, when Christ Jesus returns, we will be saved from the presence of sin. One other thing the Lord Jesus has saved us from is from ourselves by giving us a new heart and spirit (Ezek 36:26). Before the Lord saved us, we were wicked souls, estranged from the womb, and speaking lies by the time we could speak (Psa 58:3). The poison of our tongues was more potent than adder’s venom. Our hearts were hardened to the love of God in Christ because our ears were deaf to the truth of Christ’s gospel. Even the voices of charmers or cunning enchanters could not penetrate the thickness of our self-idolatry. We were as serpentine as the wicked evildoers David wrote about in this psalm, worthy of having God “break the teeth in [our] mouths” (Psa 58:6). By grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, however, we have been saved from the villainy of our corrupt condition. God has spiritually transformed us from vile, venomous serpents into new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). This is reason for us to sing of Christ’s strength and sing aloud of His steadfast love in the morning (Psa 59:16). Hallelujah! What a powerful Savior!
The wicked are like the serpent,
A venomous, subtle beast;
By grace through faith we can repent,
Exalting Christ’s increase.
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
9/13 Reading Portions: 2 Samuel 8-9; 2 Corinthians 2; Ezekiel 16; Psalm 58-59
Love your remark about being saved from ourselves by giving us a new heart!