Unworthiness and Innocence
Unworthiness and Innocence
The overcomer's struggle turned to joy
Overcomer'
Overcomers often struggle with unworthiness, especially if sin has damaged those we love and are closest to or had catastrophic effect. Yet, God calls David, who committed adultery and murder, a man after his own heart.1 How can that be?
The fact is that there are not many perfect people around for God to use, so he uses the imperfect who have surrendered through confession and repentance. That is what made the difference in David's case, and it is the same for us. God is much more interested in our future than our past.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11 (ESV)
Here, David proclaims the benefits of walking with God: Life itself, wisdom, the joy of the heart, understanding amid chaos, enduring faith, and righteousness. He experienced all of this in his life, despite his great sin. The secret to his relationship with God and God's favor on his life is found in his heart's desire to confess, repent, and be made clean so that the relationship is restored, renewed, and kept whole.
David's Appeal for Innocence
Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:12-14 (ESV)
Forgiven as he is, David knows that the mercy of God and the new future he makes available must be claimed by appropriation. Habitual sins will enslave us again if we are not diligent.2 We choose to allow sin to have dominion over us or to live free with each decision to succumb to temptation or turn into the face of God. As David notes, our heart is the key. Its desires and intents rule our thoughts, words, and actions. Asking God to keep us from sinning is the first part of the equation, our choice to honor God's work in our life is the second.
The Overcomer's Song of Joy
When we love the Lord with all of our heart and soul, seek his path for our life and honor his desire for us, then we are on our way to the new life God stands ready to give us. It is the source of the continual state of inner peace, assurance, and confidence we seek, and is found in the Lord and in our own choices.
Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. Psalm 28:6-7 (ESV)
Choose well. Choose now. Join in exultation with King David, a sinner made free and a man after God's own heart. Redemption, restoration, and renewal are something to shout about!
Shalom
1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22
Matthew 12:43-45