July 3, 2011

Psalm 130 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Luke 7:18-35, Colossians 1:24-29, 1 Chronicles 5-6

Journal Entry

Scripture

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared. Psalm 130:3-4

Observation

From the "depths," the psalmist sings this song of hope, not for deliverance from a situation but from his own depravity. The depths are his own doing, he has done wrong in the plural, and yet there is a boldness in approaching the God of perfect holiness. In God, we find "plentiful redemption," a forgiveness that does not stop at limits. If God chose to show no mercy, no one "could stand," meaning no choice on our part would count. By nature, we sin and make mistake after mistake, and our paths would be sealed from the start. Freedom, therefore, is made possible by His great mercy. Because of the possibility of forgiveness, we can choose to fear God in this very healthy, redemptive way. Scripture repeats the collective advice from the David and Solomon: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, 9:10, 15:33)

Application

Two things to apply. The first is to repeat the song of the psalmist to myself and others, to speak of God's great mercy that is offered without cost. And the second is to practice such mercy, choosing to forgive in place of making lists.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for reminding me of your greatness, upholding justice but also offering mercy to all who seek You. You are truly a great Giver. Help me, Lord, to come to you with boldness, to seek to be cleansed and set right again. And help me also to live a life of mercy, to reflect Your goodness through my own life.

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