Psalm 130

1 From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.
2 Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.
3 Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?
4 But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.
5 I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.
6 I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.
8 He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin.

Yesterday he was melancholy. today our Psalmist is in the depths of despair...by his own admission.

Yet, in his despair, David writes one of the most encouraging Psalms we have ever read. It is the Psalm we should keep in our hip pocket so we can pull it out when we are in despair.

So...melancholy (yesterday) derives from the seeming constant trouble that comes our way. But despair? Despair comes from the realization of our own sinfulness. That is why Psalm 130 is so precious. Read what he says:

" Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you."

As a Christian for over 45 years I still struggle with sin. I'm way past the point of discouragement. I'm way past the point of guilt. I am to the point of despair. Why? Because if I was ever going to get this right, it would have already happened. I'm pathetic!

Mind you...my desire to live an obedient life derives not from fear of punishment, but from love and devotion to God for what He has done for me. This is why I despair: God deserves so much more from me. Why can't I offer it to Him?

The thought that God does not keep a record of my sin is a great relief. It encourages me to keep trying. But...there's more. The continual cycle of sin and forgiveness in our lives is permitted by God so that we might learn to fear (honor) Him.

We need to let God work through our human failures...our sins. If we refuse to hide from Him as Adam and Eve did, and ask Him to join us in our struggle, He promises to use our sin as a teaching point toward holiness. This is truly a new paradigm. Will it work?

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.

Live boldly out there today...