Today’s
Scripture Reading (February 7, 2012): Psalm 140
We need to be
continually reminded that none of us have lived perfect lives. We are
surrounded by our mistakes. Even if our mistakes and errors happened when no
one was around or know one knows the acts that we have committed, we still know
that they are there. We run as fast as we can away from them, but they seem to
run even faster. Our mistakes and errors stay a lot closer than we wish. They
are always there.
Maybe the
worst curse that anyone could wish on us is that the trouble that our lips have
caused would be found on our heads - because we all have caused harm. Don’t
trust anyone that believes that they have never harmed anyone, because they are
at best blind to the events of their own lives and at worst they are lying to
you and, probably, to themselves.
I am amazed
at the truth of this concept. Earlier this week I had a conversation with some
friends that were complaining about a few other people in their circle of
influence. They were well worn complaints that I had heard before, but recently
I had started to hear the exact same complaints about them. And this scenario
is repeated over and over again. The trouble that found its existence on our
lips is returned to us until it rests on our heads. In fact, I am convinced
that we sometimes react the way we do because we see others committing the same
mistakes and sin that have found a home inside of us – and we just don’t need
to be reminded of them.
So the
psalmist offers the curse. Really it is a curse that doesn’t need to be
offered. Nature kind of works that way anyway. The trick is actually in the
reverse. This Psalm is a warning about the way the world works, but the answer
is found in Jesus Christ through whom God has removed our sin and separated
them from us as far as the east is from the west.
This is the
God that we gather to worship – the one who knows all of the ways that we have
failed in the past and forgives us anyway.
Tomorrow’s
Scripture Reading: Obadiah 1
No comments:
Post a Comment