For My Own Sake

Psalm 43:25
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

I have wrestled for weeks over four small words in this verse; for my own sake. I recall early teachings that I am unworthy and imperfect for a Holy God. Teachings that God forgives and forgets my transgressions, removes them as far as the east is from the west, and washes me whiter than snow so I may approach the throne of His perfect Glory and enter into His Almighty presence. He sent His one and only Son who died on the cross for me. He penned the words in the greatest Book so I might know His power and glory. These teachings and my understanding was that all this was done - for “my sake.” But the words stated here are in conflict of that understanding.

In Psalm 50:9-11 I found the following, “you have no need of a bull from my stall or of goats from my pens, for every animal of the forest is yours, and the cattle on a thousand hills. If you were hungry you would not tell me, for the world is yours and all that is in it.”

You have no need of me, but you created me. You have no need of me, but you love me. I have nothing to give you, but you give to me and long after me. I have turned my back on you, and you still have compassion towards me. I desire selfish things and earthly prosperity and you gave your Son’s life. O, why do you do these things for me? I am undeserving of any kindness from a Holy and Just Creator.

And in the light of your wisdom and grace you said, for my own sake I have blotted out your transgressions and remember them no more. I created you, I formed you, and I love you. I didn’t create you to destroy you. I do all these things for my own sake, because you are my joy and my delight. You are mine and I will rescue and save you through the blotting out of your transgressions and forgiveness through grace. I do all these things for my own sake.

For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all (Rom 10:4). For the world is mine and all that is in it (50:11) and who has given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen (Rom 11:35-36).

“Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2).” The God of heaven offers, for His own sake, because the world is His and all that is in it. Will you choose this day the pleasures this world offers or the God of all creation? It is for His own sake you were created. It is for His glory that you exist. But it is your choice to believe, accept, and live for the God of all creation.

Read

As I read the opening sentence of the book I was caught off guard by the character’s passionate plea. I could feel the painful sorrow within as he pleaded for his best friend to return so he could be comforted and encouraged during the last days of his life.

The character, the author, wrote loving words of encouragement while recalling days gone by. He wrote strong words of faith urging the younger to remain true and faithful. He wrote words of warning, cautioning the younger not to waver in his duties and to be careful in befriending and trusting those who abandoned him. Finally he ended his introduction with the writing of his own memories of the two of them together in days past, once more encouraging the younger to come quickly.

As I read I was drawn into the life and character of Paul as recorded in 2 Timothy. Paul knows the days ahead lead to his death. His friendship and fatherly love flow through his pen and onto the pages, for generations and generations to read and know. Did Paul know that such a personal letter would be used in this way? Paul wrote them for that day, for that moment, for him, and for his beloved friend.

I write today to encourage you to dive in, take the plunge, sit, read, and absorb the story, character, and setting of any bible story. Read as though you are there. Read as if you are the main character. Read and let the Holy Spirit fill you with wisdom and knowledge. Read.

Try first or second Timothy. Pick an easily understood translation like NIV, NASB, or the Message. If you have a study bible read the introduction and get a bearing on the time, place, and purpose of the writing. Pray for understanding and then read. Put yourself into the story. Put yourself into the author or a particular character, see what they see, feel what they feel, and know an Almighty God.

Start today and read. Watch God expand your understanding, wisdom, and knowledge. Read and be blessed with grace and peace that is only offered and promised by God himself through Christ Jesus our Redeemer, Savior, and Lord. Read and discover God. Learn to love. Learn to know. Learn to listen. Read, and know that He is God, the great I AM.

Feeble Hands

While at home this past week recovering from surgery I have been subjected to the local and national news. The stories reported were of senseless crimes, death, violence, disaster and destruction. But rarely reported were stories of rescues and selfless acts of mercy. I also saw business hungry law firm commercials begging for money to any cause they can discover and deem unjust to all! Why? Because “you deserve it, it’s your right.” I saw horror shows presented at times when kids were home alone, commercials for upcoming television programs with women scantily dressed and abusive language.

Then I read the book of Isaiah and the tears began to flow; broken and crying over the wayward behavior of Israel and Judah; their rebellious attitude toward God, His commandments, His covenant promises, and His impending judgment, and I thought of the news and the world in which we live. I thought of my own life and the priorities and attention I have given to “stuff.”

We are a nation that lives like we are our own gods. Serving the selfish ambition, passionate lusts, and violent desires buried deep within our souls. Living life like there is no tomorrow, no punishment for crimes, caring not for one another, but moving through life with the attitude of “me first, because I deserve it.” I can only imagine the pain and sorrow of our Creator and Lord; and I am sure “that image” is not near the depth of sorrow felt in the heavenly realm.

Believer, as you look into this wretched world does a mirror reflect back the wicked state of your own heart? Are you burdened by the lack of interest or time you give to the Creator; the Lord God Almighty? Do the priorities of this world, work, television, and family activities push away any time for the Savior? O believer and child of God do you truly believe there is a God in heaven? Do you believe the words written in the Bible are true? Do you believe the judgments? Do you believe the promises?

All is not lost. For the gospel is called “the gospel of peace.” Isaiah writes of the doom and destruction that all of Israel will feel and know. He writes of the impending judgment on this world as a whole. For God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If He is to punish the deeds of the unjust and unrepentant in times past, then He surely will be true to His words in judging the deeds of this present world. But “strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you,’ (Isaiah 35:3b-4).” Isaiah not only writes about impending doom and judgment, but he also writes of the promised ransom by the greatest Redeemer of all.

Let your “feeble hands be strengthen and your wobbly knees be steady. Be strong, do not fear.” God has given you the power to overcome and the hope to endure (Rom 5:5). He has given you a path of righteousness. “A highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it…and the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away, (35:8-10).” You have the power and strength within you. Will your faith allow you to set aside the necessary time to enter the secret places of the most high and abide in His everlasting promises? Sit at His feet, read the Bible, and learn of Him. Learn who He is, who He was, and who He will be. Allow the wisdom and knowledge of God to enter into the deep recesses of your mind and heart and strengthen your feeble hands and wobbly knees. “For those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint, (40:31).” Come. Confess and turn from the sins of your past, and walk in the Way of Holiness. Taste and see that the Lord is good.