Set apart

“Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him.” Psalm 4:3
When we hear the word ‘holy’ we think of someone or something that is perfect and sinless, and think that we can’t possibly be that. But the word ‘holy’ simply means to be set apart for God’s use. That’s what today’s verse is about, and it’s something that we can be.
Being set apart for God’s use doesn’t mean that we can’t have secular jobs, or can’t be friends with non-Christians, or can’t play in a sports team. It doesn’t mean that we must spend every waking moment in prayer or doing something to serve our local church. Rather, we are to be used by God in those situations that we are in. Think of your workplace, for example. You may be the only Christian there, the only witness of God’s love to those people whom you work with. God may have placed you there specifically to be an example to them of His grace. Paul wrote, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Col. 3:23-24). While others are working to better their own careers, you have a higher calling: you are working for God – not for yourself.