Cry Out to the Lord
You answer us in righteousness, with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the earth and of distant seas.
Psalm 65:5 (CSB)
Sin affects all of humanity. Both you and I constantly face the temptation to indulge in our fleshly desires and neglect the Lord's teachings. We find ourselves grappling with the urge to engage in activities that contradict the ways of the Lord. Consequently, we endure moments of suffering and pain stemming from our sinful nature. While not all suffering is a direct result of sin, sin brings with it a range of consequences. In Psalm 65, the people experience punishment for their sinful nature before the Lord. This Psalm illustrates their response, actions, and highlights the Lord's faithfulness to their cries for help.
The People’s Responses. The people's reaction stemmed from their acknowledgment of sin. They encountered difficulties due to their disobedience to the Lord. Their suffering prompted them to recognize their sins before God. Awareness arises when we see ourselves in the light of God's holiness. Before His holiness, we appear as filthy rags. As the Israelites acknowledged their state, they mourned their sins and felt compelled to seek forgiveness. Similarly, when we become aware of sin in our lives, we should recognize the necessity to lament before the Lord and pursue forgiveness and reconciliation with Him.
The People’s Actions. Rather than succumbing to sorrow and passivity, the people transformed their grief into a sincere confession of their sins to the Lord, seeking His forgiveness. This act of confession involved moving from mere acknowledgment of sin to embracing their guilt. By accepting their situation, they were able to earnestly request forgiveness from the Lord, asking Him to extend His mercy and grace. This same approach is essential today; upon recognizing our sins, we must take responsibility for them and earnestly seek the Lord's forgiveness.
The Lord’s Faithful Response. The Lord answered the people's pleas out of love and his commitment to his promise. He acts as a gracious host, inviting people into his home even though sinners may not deserve such kindness. This invitation stems from the Lord's grace and mercy. In his mercy, he bestows forgiveness by lifting the rightful punishment of sin. Through his grace, he grants access that cannot be earned. By allowing sinners into his presence, the Lord provides a path to reconciliation.
The Lord granted forgiveness to the people of Israel through grace and mercy. Similarly, He answers the sinner's cry today. Faithful to His promise, He extends forgiveness through His mercy and grace. He welcomes those who may not deserve it but respond in faith. Throughout our journey, we must cling to the promise that the Lord provides us with forgiveness and a place in His home.
QUESTIONS
How does allowing sin to defeat us differ from the appropriate response of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation when sin is discovered?
How does the faithful response of the Lord propel you to live in the certainty of hope found in the Lord?
