Scripture:
Psalm 103:10-13 ESV
[10] He does not deal with us according to our sins nor repay us according to our iniquities. [11] For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; [12] as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. [13] As a father shows compassion to his children, the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
Observation:
When you read the first verse in this group of scriptures, you might think there is no penalty to sin. Yet as you read over the life of David and many others in the bible, you would clearly see different. David is doing his best to describe the grace of GOD. Honestly, it’s not an easy task. Because GOD’s grace is indescribable. Sin requires correction. As we look at the scripture that follows, we can get a little better understanding. David talks about how great the love of GOD is. It’s way bigger than we could ever usner stand. The word steadfast means. No matter what. In a sense. I would like to draw our attention to a very important statement…to those who fear HIM. Now, how does that mix… there’s no fear in grace… grace, by definition, is getting the blessings of GOD even though you don’t deserve them. So when David throws the fear of GOD in there, it can get a little confusing. David did not intentionally sin he didn’t just throw caution to the wind and live how he wanted. He thought about his ways. He carefully considered what he did. We see that in more than one part of his story. He was promised the kingdom. But the 2 times he had an opportunity to take Saul out, he didn’t. He left that up to GOD. That’s not to say he didn’t make mistakes because we can see that in his story as well, and in those times, we see GOD’s correction. So how does all this tie together? Grace and fear, and steadfast love. I will do my best to explain it. GOD knew David’s heart. David did not want to sin. He wanted to live a life that was pleasing to the LORD. In other words, David feared or had a reverence for GOD, a healthy respect for what the LORD wanted him to do and how HE wanted him to live. Now, the correction David received when he did fall short we can look at as mercy. David did not get what he deserved. The penalty of sin is death… but GOD did not strike David down. Instead, HE corrected him. Grace… can you see it?? David deserved death, but GOD gave him life. Now that life has come with correction, but it was life none the less.
Application:
I how I did some justice to this passage. Because now the application process has to begin. We have all sinned. Every one of us we all deserve what Jesus Christ took for us. I must say we have all experienced GOD’s correction as well. Grace is not in place so that we can continue in a lifestyle of sin. It’s there to call us out of it. GOD’s correction is real. HE chases after the ones HE loves. HE loves you. Even if you are feeling some correction, don’t think you are not receiving HIS grace. Because what we all deserve, Jesus Christ, took for us. Knowing that what I got is not what I deserve. Has given me a reverent fear of GOD. HIS correction has changed my life. I want to please HIM. I want HIM to look at my life and say we’ll done my son now enter into my rest. That’s my hearts desire. I have experienced HIS grace. Now, I want my path to be the one he has intended for me to begin with. However, I know I will need more grace, I’m sure, but I will do my best, and GOD will make up where I fall short. That does not mean I can fall short just because I want to. I need my life to be more of HIM and less of me killing my flesh daily. When HE corrects me, I need to stop and go another way. We need to have a repentant heart. After all that’s King David was considered a man after GOD’s heart.
Prayer:
Father, I don’t feel like I did any good at making this passage any easier to understand. But I know that your Holy Spirit will go to work in the hearts of those who read it. I pray that you bless the atemt I made to explain your grace. Something I don’t fully understand myself. Because your love is so amazing, and your grace runs right beside it. One thing I do understand is that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just, and you will forgive us of those sins. Thank you for that forgiveness. I pray that this message is exactly what those who read it need. Please, Father, take this mess and turn it into a message. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.