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.
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.
2 comments:
Beautiful post, Tracy, and great collection of scriptures.
I would add one, Galatians 2:20, "I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."
The ultimate goal/priority/purpose is God's glory, honor, and praise, but secondary is our eternal happiness, relationship, and joy. The primary purpose was for Christ's sake, but for our sake we also gain alot. :)
Canyon
Amen. Thank you for your comment. I agree totally!
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