The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Psalm 141:3-4,
"Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat their delicacies."
In this psalm David expresses a concern I feel most believers
experience at times. Having embraced the Lord in faith, experiencing
his forgiveness, love and mercy, we struggle with the notion we will
disappoint him from time to time. In this psalm David possibly has his
view on the Lord as his refuge and desires the confidence that he has
the Lord's help during a time of need. He says, "But my eyes are fixed
on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge —do not give me over to
death. Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares
they have laid for me. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while
I pass by in safety." Verses 8-10. Nonetheless, as David expresses his
heart throughout the psalms, it is clear he desires to please the Lord
in his thoughts and actions at all times and manifested terrific
remorse when caught in sin.
The legitimacy of our concern in this regard arises from the fact that
while in these bodies, we struggle with sin. I don't know about you,
but while a believer I have disappointed the Lord, myself and others
from time to time over the years. It is not my desire to do so and
like David, I have experienced the remorse that comes from sin coupled
with a desire and resolution to not find myself there again.
One of the many wonderful things I have found in the Lord is that he
knows our weaknesses and provides for us in this arena of conflict on
those occasions when we find ourselves in its grip. We can take
assurance from the words of the writer of Hebrews, "For we do not have
a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we
have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did
not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of
need." Hebrews 4:15-16.
The Lord has also provided us a special help at those difficult times,
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And
God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can
bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that
you can endure it." I have to admit there have been those times I have
not availed myself of God's "way out", but it nevertheless was there
for my advantage. Knowing it is there, being convinced it is there,
and looking for it has been a tremendous benefit for me over the years
for those many other occasions when I have availed myself of God's
faithful help during those times of temptation.
Additionally, the Lord is faithful in our lives to bring us a level of
maturity and strength relative to temptation. I am convinced none of
us arrive till we are done with these bodies in this life, but while
we remain the Lord brings us a spiritual growth that aids us when
tempted. "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we
know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;
and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's
love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who
has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5. While "suffering" may indicate
many things, as the chapter continues, Paul has struggle with sin in
mind.
Paul also goes on to say in Romans 8:28-29, "And we know that in all
things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been
called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also
predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be
the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." This is the thought
Paul conveys as he considers "the Spirit helps us in our weakness",
verse 26.
Believers have experienced the love and kindness of God. They are also
indwelt with the Holy Spirit. As such it is a given we will experience
remorse when we fall into sin. As David, we will feel a need to pursue
the Lord's help in our struggle with sin and seek him out to aid us.
The wonderful truth is the Lord knows us and as a further expression
of his love, mercy and kindness toward us, he comes to our aid. If we
fail him we can take comfort in the words of John, "If we confess our
sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify
us from all unrighteousness...My dear children, I write this to you so
that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate
with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning
sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of
the whole world." 1 John 1:9-2:2.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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