The “Urban Dictionary” has become quite the useful tool in the 21st century. For those of us who are getting older and are challenged to interpret the language of those who are younger than us, consulting the Urban Dictionary has been a savior. The Urban Dictionary provides definitions to some of the more popular slang terms. For instance, here is the definition of the phrase, “I’m good”:
Rejection of and ridicule for an offered good or service by feigning satiation. When "No Thank You" just won't do.”
“I’m good” is one of my favorite retorts in response to being offered something I don’t want or like. When offered a food item with mayonnaise on it (which I hate!!!), I will often say, “I’m good!”
As I read about Jesus’ journey of 40 days in the desert and his responses to the Devil’s temptation, I can’t help but amuse myself by thinking that Jesus responded to the Devil’s temptations with, “I’m good.” Of course, Jesus repeated a refrain that has drawn our admiration. He repeatedly answers the Devil’s temptations with “It is written…” In responding this way, Jesus declared what is the theme of our 40-day journey. In essence, Jesus told the Devil, “I have Enough!” To declare faith in God is to tell our appetite for more “stuff” that with God, we have enough. Another way of making this declaration is to say, “I’m good!” For the next 40 days, will this be your truth?
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
18 May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.