SOAP 02/15/2012; Psalm 25:18

Today's reading: Leviticus 25; Psalms 25,26; Acts 22

S)"¹⁸ Look upon my affliction and my trouble,
And forgive all my sins."

Psalm 25:18 (NASB)

O) King David got it right, here. Too often, our pride makes us want to fix things before coming to God, but that's just not realistic. Sin causes problems and if we could fix those problems and clense our own guilt, we wouldn't need God at all. Trouble is, I think some Christians know one half, but don't accept the other half. We know we cannot attain God's standard of righteousness on our own, but I think sometimes we think we can clean up our own messes. King David knew better, here. He knew that he had made a mess of things and gotten himself into trouble. He knew that it was too much for him. He asked God for forgiveness and help in his mess.

A) One of my favorite lines from Kristene Mueller's song, Trust is when she says about God, "You say, 'I've got you my baby, oh I've got you // It's quite the mess you're in, but it's, nothing love can't fix // so sit here, upon my shoulders and watch as it all unwinds.'" The beautiful thing about God, the thing I need to remind myself is true, is that He already knows it all. He knows how I messed up. He knows I made my own mess. He knows what the problem is and He knows the solution. He knows what's at stake and He knows the cost. In all of my errors, wrongs, and costly or expensive mistakes; in all the ways I've hurt people, broken things, or caused havoc; in all of my sins, He knows it all and He knew it all before Jesus was ever sent to the world. Before Jesus was ever born, raised, educated, revealed; before Jesus ever made wine, broke bread, or multiplied fish; before Jesus ever walked on water, calmed the waves, or passed through the mobs; before Jesus ever healed, forgave, or died on the cross; before Jesus ever defeated sin, conquered death, or rose from the grave, my Father in heaven knew it all. He knew all of my self-inflicted problems. He didn't agree to redeem me. He didn't make some deal with me, or with Jesus, or anyone else. He didn't debate about whether or not this was the right way. There was no discussion or deliberation. All along, He intended to redeem me; He planned to redeem me; He loved, to redeem me. And so there can be no waiting, no hesitation, no question in the wake of my sins. I must immediately return to my Father, confess my sins, ask for His forgiveness, and ask for His help in cleaning up my mess.

P) Father, Your love is too much for me to comprehend! Your goodness is too great for me to behold! Let me never question Your love for me, God; I know what Romans 5:8 says. Holy Spirit, encourage me to return to look to the Father in the middle of my own mess. Remind me of all these truths and let me ask for help. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.