Psalm 130--
Sometimes I think that I don't truly understand the depth of my sin. I like to think that overall, I'm an ok person. That I'm better than most and that I have it all together. Because I haven't broken the law or cheated on my husband, I think that makes me a good person.
And because of that, when I read Psalm 130 -out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! - if you O Lord should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? - I find it hard to relate. I think, the depth of my sin isn't that deep. I think that maybe I could stand before the Lord as I am and be ok.
But the truth is that not only am I believing a huge lie, I am missing out on the infinite bless of God's perfect and wonderful mercy and grace. I am so caught up in self-righteousness, that I don't open the very gift that I am most in need of - his forgiveness and his redemption.
Because the truth is that on a daily basis, my actions break the heart of God. I don't love my neighbor as I should. I worship idols like status and money. I seek pleasure for myself rather than pleasing my Lord. I am so prideful. Words like swords stab my family and my friends. I cheat and I cut corners when no one is looking.
The truth is that my sin is greater than I can truly understand; but God's love and mercy is greater still.
So my prayer today is to let my sin be big and to let my God be bigger. My prayer is that I would understand my need so that I might better understand mercy and grace. My prayer it that I would be poor in spirit, that I may truly see God's kingdom.
I encourage you to read Psalm 130 in a new light. The second half of the Psalm is so much more glorious and life giving, there is so much more faith and trust, when you truly understand the depths from which the Lord redeems and the faithfulness of him to His promise.
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with Him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
((I am participating in #SheSharesTruth at SheReadsTruth.com. I am so excited to read about other women's take on this same Psalm and I love the idea. It is true that there is no better way to learn than to teach!))
