Psalms 7:8-12 (ESV)As I read this Psalm, I ask myself, am I bold enough tell God to judge my righteousness and my integrity? I know for the most part I'm a pretty good guy. I try to live with integrity. However, what about the little white lies that come out sometimes without even thinking about it? How about when I get annoyed or lose my temper, even if I don't show it? What about driving 75 when the speed limit is 65?
8 The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. 9 Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous— you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God! 10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. 12 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow;
These may seem like small things. However, If I pray this Psalm, I'm telling a perfect and holy God to judge me. It's not even just my actions that this Psalm is asking God to judge. It's the integrity that is in me, it's a heart issue.
When it comes to salvation of my soul, I know I am saved by faith alone. My faith in Jesus as Lord means I was justified when He rose from the dead (Romans 4:25). However, I don't know that this Psalm is necessarily about my eternal salvation.
David was asking for protection from his enemies. He was asking God to judge him, and then based on that judgment, save him from his wicked enemies. We know David was just a man. While a man after God's own heart, he was able to fall to some serious sins in his life, like adultery and murder. So how was he able to be so bold as to ask God to judge him before rescuing him?
I think the key is Psalms 7:12, "If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow;". Before I seek God's protection, I should first seek his forgiveness.
So what is the life application here for me? At the beginning of this Psalm (Psalms 7:1-2), David is pleading with God to save him from his pursuers that want to tear his soul apart like a lion. Can I really relate to this plea? I don't think I have anyone pursuing me like a lion. Or do I?
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)Maybe I better get down on my knees and repent so that when I ask God to judge me and deliver me, he will find an upright heart.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
"Before I seek God's protection, I should first seek his forgiveness."
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reminder. I struggle with this a little. This should be an ongoing thing and I too often rest on the promise of forgiveness without going through the 'process' (not the best word choice here but I couldn't think of a better one) of seeking His forgiveness. We must daily seek forgiveness. Not over and over again for past sins, but for those times we fall short in how we treat our family and friends or trip-up morally. It is important to be a realist and recognize sin in our own lives, repent, and seek God's forgiveness in Christ.
grace and peace, grace and peace, grace and peace ...
Josh -
ReplyDeleteNo doubt, there are Christians that are legalistic and not only lose their own joy but can rob others as well.
I think God, as my Father, wants to see me strive to what pleases him (as I am pleased when my children are willfully obedient). However, we wants that obedience out of love, not out of a fear of "what happens if I screw up".
I can see how my original post may have come across that way. If you want to use the parent analogy (which is not bad except that none of us can measure up to our heavenly Father as fathers ourselves) then what I am saying is that I want to please my Father with my obedience and I want to ask for forgiveness for where I fall short. Note that this "falling short" is almost always out of rebellion and pride. When my own children misbehave our of selfishness, pride or just being rebellious, I am more proud when they acknowledge there actions and ask for forgiveness.
Now, I will always love my children, whether they ever say their sorry or not. However, if I did not hold them accountable for misbehavior, I would be raising spoiled children. Using this analogy, my Father would be raising a spoiled Christian if I was never held accountable for any of my sinful actions.
So, before I go to my heavenly Father with my needs, I believe I should first ask Him to search my heart and let's work out anything where I'm falling short on how He wants to raise me spiritually.
My concern in the Church may or may not be similar to yours. I see less legalism (although I know there is plenty out there) and more overly passive Christianity. I see too many folks living out their Christian life without thinking too much one way or the other about how much God loves them. "Luke Warm" comes to mind.
If you read some of my other posts here, you'll see that my passion is for more passion for Jesus and more compassion for our world, from me and from my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I really appreciate the dialog Josh. Hope to hear more from you on future discussions.
Tony
I think we all have to remember that Satan will always do his best to make us feel unworthy. We all know that our good deeds aren't enough to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. When I'm feeling inadequate or sorry for any little thing I've done, I try to remember that the Lord loves me and knows what's in my heart. That is what matters. He knows we are going to make many mistakes.
ReplyDelete