We cannot GET renewed, at least not like you can go to the store and get milk or protein bars. We can only BE renewed, when acted upon by something or someone outside ourselves.

The only way God can and will renew our hearts is by us entrusting them into His hands. Only what we trust Him with is renewed.

This is why the Psalms are so important to read. Not because they’re pure and without imperfection in the writer, but because they’re truthful and sincere. Because everything in the heart is exposed and laid open before a loving, merciful and forgiving God.

The key, then, to a Christ-like and Spirit-filled life is RENEWAL.

The key to transformation, growth and maturity is RENEWAL.

The key to joy, hope and peace is RENEWAL.

The key to forgiveness, freedom and healing is RENEWAL.

An important aspect of renewal is worship. We are to worship our Creator and Savior God with our whole, truthful self. Worship is an expression of trust. So when the Psalmist lays before God his life, his love, fear, delight, despair, anger, doubt, and gratitude, he is doing so as an act of worship and trust.

Worship is not contingent on bringing the best of who you are to God. It is contingent on bringing the truth of what’s in your heart to God – the good and the bad, the ugly and the beautiful.

Dear Elim Grace, is there an area of our heart and life that needs to be renewed? Let’s be truthful and trust it into the hands of God.