MEDITATIONS
FROM THE PSALMS
May 25, 2005 Reading: Psalm 36
“An oracle within my
heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God
before his eyes” Ps 36:1
As you meditate on this scripture, my soul, you are faced with both a terrifying yet grateful thought: The transgression of the wicked is that they have no fear of God in their heart, yet, to you who have been saved by the grace of God, how different, at times, is your life? How frequently does that from which you have been saved raise its ugly head to gain control of your thoughts and actions? You do not want them to be there, but they are. There are times when their attraction is so strong that you give in to them and find yourself doing that which you have promised God you will never do again. On such occasions, what difference is there between the wicked who have no fear of God, and you? You have violated the law of God, broken your promise to Him, and yielded to the desires of your greatest enemy—all of which deserve the judgment and condemnation of God.
Ah, but there is a difference. Listen carefully, my soul, for it is the sweetest sound you will ever hear both now and throughout eternity—read again verses 5-9 of our Psalm. There you read of God’s mercy, faithfulness, righteousness, judgments and preservation. Your thoughts are turned toward the preciousness of His lovingkindness and the glorious fullness and satisfaction that is yours because you belong to Him. All of this is summarized in one word – Grace. You have been saved by His grace, nothing more and nothing less. This is the difference between you and the unregenerate; as small as one word and as great as Almighty God. Grace is the channel by which all of the wonderful attributes of God listed above have been applied to your life.
This same grace, by the Holy Spirit, convicts you when you sin. The unregenerate may be pricked in their conscience for a while, but they have no fear of God in their heart. You, however, have Christ in your heart, and His faithfulness will not allow you to sin without conviction. Herein lies the difference—you belong to God; Christ has saved you and the Holy Spirit indwells you. You are the recipient of His lovingkindness and you are saved by His grace. Hallelujah! What a difference.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt;
Yonder on
Dark is the stain we cannot hide, What can avail to wash it away?
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide; Whiter than snow you can be today.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe;
All who are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin.
“And were it not, dearest Lord, for the holiness of thy person, blood,
and righteousness, the very sins which mingle up with all I say or do, yea,
even in prayer, would seal my condemnation. Lamb of God! it is the everlasting
merit of thy atonement and intercession, thy blood sprinkled upon my person and
offering, by which alone the justice of God is restrained and satisfied, and
that it breaks not forth in devouring fire, as upon the sacrifice of old, to
consume me upon my very knees! Blessed, blessed forever be God for Jesus
Christ!” Prayer by Robert Hawker 1753-1827