Articles
THERE IS FORGIVENESS
THERE IS FORGIVENESS
(By Robert Moore)
If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? (Psa. 130:3)
I am not sure what kind of adversity the Psalmist was facing at the time he wrote the 130th Psalm, but the first two verses give some indication that is was very serious, maybe even life threatening; Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. Maybe the Psalmist wrote these words during an emotional low in his life, a lowness brought about because of some particular sin he had committed, which could have prompted him to sing; If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? (Psa. 130:3)
As we reflect over our walk with God this past year, hopefully it has been Christ like, led by the Spirit, and with great determination and diligence, we've added to our faith; virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7). Yet, even if we can look back over the year with a sense of accomplishment and godly pride in regards to our faithfulness to the Lord, His church, fellow brethren, the world and even our enemies, it would be good for us to remember these ageless words of the Lord Himself; So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do (Luke 17:10).
But the truth is, none of us can look back over this past year and say that we lived sinless lives. Maybe it was something we did that was contrary to God's law, or maybe it was something we didn't do that He commands. It could have even been a sin of ignorance. Whatever might be the case, none of us were blameless. In light of that, even without knowing what prompted the Psalmist to say what he did in our text, surely we could easily and understandably repeat his words; If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? What is the implied answer? No one! In other words, if there was no Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who could have hope? No one! But, notice what the Psalmist declares in the very next verse; But there is forgiveness with You (Psa. 130:4a).
Praise the Lord! (Psa. 150:6b).
