Monday Reflection – January 10, 2022

The Detecting Force of God’s Word

But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Psalm 19:12

Psalm 19, like Psalm 119 and others, challenges us to ask ourselves how much we appreciate the word of God. A section of Psalm 19 is dedicated to the word of God, highlighting its character, impact and transformative power. So we must seriously ask, what impact does the word of God have on our lives? David reflects on the warnings found in the word of God, and the great reward found in obeying God’s word. This makes him reflect on the times and ways he has ignored the warnings and not kept God’s word.

David asks in today’s Watchword, “who can detect their errors?” This is a question which is its own answer. This is not an interrogation; it is a declaration. By the word of God is the knowledge of sin, and in the presence of divine truth, the Psalmist marvels at the number and heinousness of his sins. We know ourselves best when we know God’s word. Yet, when we think about this seriously, we have to consider how much we do not know, rather than feeling good about what we do know. David understands that he had ignored and disobeyed God’s word even more than he is aware of. What he knows is enough to make him concerned; his actual errors before God are still worse. Augustine wrote in his older days a series of Retractions; ours might make a library if we have enough grace to be convinced of our mistakes and to confess them.

Facing this reality, David wisely prays “Clear me from hidden faults.” Or “Cleanse me from hidden faults.” Knowing that he could not know just how many his errors were before God, David seeks cleansing even from the sins and faults that were secret to him. It is hopeless to expect to see all our spots; therefore, we must pray, “O Lord, wash away in the atoning blood even those sins which my conscience has been unable to detect.” Secret sins, like private conspirators, must be hunted out, or they may do deadly mischief; thus, we must seek God’s cleansing. As David contemplates the ‘perfect law, enlightening the eyes,’, this sends him to his knees. He is appalled by his own shortcomings, and feels that, beside all those of which he is aware, there is a region, as yet unilluminated by that law, where evil things nestle and breed. The sins we see and confess are like the farmer’s small samples which he brings to market, when he has left his storeroom full at home.

The word used here for “faults” describes a sin that is committed in ignorance. The fact that the sin happened unintentionally doesn’t make it acceptable, but that kind of sin wasn’t judged as harshly as sins that were committed wilfully by the Jews. David’s relationship to the Law is to use it as a diagnostic tool to find out where he is still guilty, and not as justifying tool to proclaim himself innocent. What a lesson for us all!! We have to constantly engage the word of God which reveals God’s perfect plan for our lives, and shows how we ought to live in alignment with God’s will. That revelation highlights our shortcomings for which we should immediately seek God’s cleansing. Yet, in a deeper sense, the word of God reveals the nature of the Word, Jesus Christ who teaches us about the principles of the Kingdom of God. His death assures us of forgiveness for our confessed sins. The Holy Spirit is available to help us to live by God’s word. When we sincerely confess, we experience cleansing and sweet communion with the Triune Godhead.

Jermaine Gibson