Psalm 134, 135
We continued the “Songs of Ascent,” which were sung by Jewish pilgrims
making their way to the City of God, Jerusalem, to worship at the Temple. The
topics of today’s psalms included the rewards for fearing the Lord (128), a prayer for
God’s persecuted people (129),
a song for David, the anointed King (132), and a reminder of what God had done in
Israel’s past (135).
However, the song that stood out to me today was Psalm 130, in which were
recorded these words, “Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who could ever
survive?” (v.3). If we were asked
the question, “Would you consider yourself to be a good person,” we would
answer in the affirmative. Who doesn’t consider himself to be a good person,
right? Yet, if we took five minutes to list out all of our sinful thoughts,
words, and deeds, our countenance and confidence would soon dissipate. Why? Because
each of us is rotten to the core, having wicked hearts, full of deceit and
corruption.
Take the Ten Commandments, for example, God’s moral law. Do we worship
things or people other than God. Yes. Have we ever dishonored our parents?
Sure. Have we lied, stolen, or cheated? Of course. Have we ever looked at others
with lust, been disrespectful to God’s name, or desired what a friend or
neighbor had? If we considered them carefully one by one, I would bet that
every one of us have broken each law countless times. We are
all guilty before God of falling short of His moral standards. If our sins were
put on a big screen for all to see and read, we would run out of the room in
shame! We are broken, ruined, sick, and selfish; and, we deserve judgment and
punishment!
However, praise God that the psalm does not end there. “He offers
forgiveness! O Israel, hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is unfailing love and an
overflowing supply of salvation! He Himself will free Israel from every kind of
sin” (v.4,
7, 8).
Though we deserve judgment, God extends His grace. Though we deserve punishment,
God gives us mercy; and, though we deserve death, He gives us life!
All of these things are found in one person — Jesus Christ. “There is no
other name under heaven or on earth by which men may be saved” (Acts 4:12). Because the
wrath of God was poured out on Him, on our behalf, we are free from the penalty
of sin and made clean by His blood! Praise God for His salvation! Praise Him
for His endless love! Praise Him for the freedom we have because of His
forgiveness!
Daily Reflection
Some people, perhaps even you, are tempted to reply to these charges by
saying that their good deeds far outweigh their bad ones. Surely God will
consider these things in His judgment. Why won’t this logic stand up in His
presence?
Others deceive themselves by thinking that their God would never
condemn them to eternity in hell. He is loving and kind. What is wrong with
this line of thinking?
Do you recognize that your only hope is Christ or have you placed
your confidence in yourself?
BiAY.org | Day 195 — 170 Days to Go
No comments:
Post a Comment