Scripture:
“O God: You know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from You. Let not those who hope in You be put to shame through me O God of hosts-Let not those who seek You be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.” (Ps 69:5-6)
“Out of my distress I called on the Lord-the Lord answered me and set me free…I shall not die but I shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord. The Lord has disciplined me severely but He has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.” (Ps 118:5 and 17-19)
Observation:
I don’t want to lose sight that these two chapters in Psalms are another set of significant prophetic resources about Jesus. They are also pretty good sources of what confession, repentance, determination and ultimately rest in the Gospel looks like.
Application:
I am completely transparent to Jesus.
Isn’t that something? I cannot hide anything from the Lord of hosts. He knows my thoughts, my actions, my efforts in self-reliance, my exertions to get my own way, and my oh so transparent rebellious heart/soul to God.
You see: Scripture isn’t written primarily for the unbeliever but for the Believer. While it is evident that the Bible describes those apart from Christ, when it is referencing sin I have to own it-God is talking about and to me, the guy in the mirror.
The Gospel and the Cross: different for us than it was for David. The Gospel was unfolding for the House of Israel but the Cross was still to come. Now that it is here, we can know Redemption in Christ through faith in Jesus’ work on the Cross. Still: it is good to know the two significant works resulting from the Cross. One is Justification: Faith in the Atonement is a done deal-just have to persevere to the End.
Sanctification? Another ball of wax entirely. This is the Walk of the Gospel that Paul refers to in Eph 4:1, Phil 1:27, Col 1:10, 1 Thes 2:12, and a few other references. It is the summarized basis of what David wrote above.
Do I do foolish things? Sure. How about wrongs? Yep, check. Shameful things? Another check. Dishonorable things? I am getting tired of checking all of these things off like this. When is the “rest” from my sin that the Bible talks about kick in?
Biblically from my understanding: Always and never at the same time. Our rest is in the Cross-we are not condemned any longer-no Wrath of God for Believers. Good thing too. Now comes the “working out our salvation part”: Asking the Holy Spirit to expose us, reveal our hearts, make the working out of the “old man” visible and recognizable-so that we can mortify that creature.
David understood this. He confessed in the 1st person. My folly, my wrongs, my shameful influence on others, my dishonorable actions to be kept from influencing others. David also declared his desire (which if you notice is a prayer right up God’s alley to approve of-see James 1): I called upon the Lord; I shall recount the deeds of the Lord and live; I recognize the Mercy of God in disciplining me but not to death; I want to walk through the gates of righteousness-basically I want to walk worthy of the Gospel.
Prayer:
Father: Short prayer today. Even as I am writing this I am shaking my head in my known sin and dishonorable conduct lately. I have not responded in faith and surrender to You. I recognize this, ask for specific forgiveness (blankets are only good to snuggle in and not suitable for forgiveness); state my desire to repent and look to You for plans to change my ways through faith in the Gospel.