Our Reading: Psalm 143 & Isaiah 57:16

David shows us that even back in the OT days, God was a righteous God who also exercised forbearance (patient self-control, restraint, and tolerance). David understood his sinful condition and the sinful condition of all of mankind. He understood his own guilt and inability to save himself. It was with this humility that he approached God and asked for His mercy.

“Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.” (v2)

This is the understanding that we have to approach God with in order to be shown His mercy and forgiveness. We have to be aware of our sinful nature and that we are not capable of being righteous in our own endeavors. 

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭

We must realize that we are 100% dependent on Christ for our righteousness and his sacrificial love that provides for our salvation. 

“as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.” Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬, ‭23‬-‭25‬ 

No matter if our circumstances are going well or, as David faced in this Psalm, not so well, God is an ever present need in our lives. He doesn’t just want to be the One we call upon when we have crisis needs but the One we call upon for our deepest, daily spiritual needs. David longed for connection with God and considered it his most vital need. Like deep rooted relationships, he had history with God to reflect upon. 

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah” (v5-6)

David’s relationship with God was built on his willingness to perform 2 important actions

1. Trust: He trusted that God loved him and would direct him. “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (v8)
2. Obey: He was humble and teachable, willing to yield to God’s instruction. “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” (v10)

It sounds simple to just trust and obey but it can be a daily challenge to do so. That’s why it is so important to stay connected to Him and grounded in His Word. It’s not enough to know about Him but we have to get to personally know Him by spending time with Him and yielding our heart to His discipline and love. Each of us will have different experiences and opportunities. As we grow closer to Him, we have more history with Him to draw strength from and more wisdom from Him to share with others. We only get one life to live.  Each day we decide if we will journey alone or journey with Him. 

You will not obey Him, if you do not believe Him and trust Him. You cannot believe Him if you do not love Him. You cannot love Him unless you know Him. - Henry Blackaby

Reflection:

1. Have you taken that step of recognizing your absolute need for atonement because of your sinful state and accepted the complete unmerited salvation provided by Christ alone?
2. How well do you know your Savior? How well do you want to know Him?

Prayer: Father, how grateful we are that You are so patient and forbearing, and have provided a way for us to connect to You. Forgive us when we take that for granted and do not make the wise choice of seeking You and growing in our walk with You. Help us to know You more intimately and to be able to trust and cherish You as the vital source of spiritual life that we so desperately need.