Monday Reflection \u2013 January 10, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n
The Detecting Force of God\u2019s Word<\/p>\n\n\n
But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Psalm 19:12<\/p>\n\n\n
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\u2019s word. This makes him reflect on the times and ways he has ignored the warnings and not kept God\u2019s word.<\/p>\n\n\n
David asks in today\u2019s Watchword, \u201cwho can detect their errors?\u201d 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\u2019s 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\u2019s word even more than he is aware of. What he knows is enough to make him concerned; his actual\u00a0errors\u00a0before 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.<\/p>\n\n\n
Facing this reality, David wisely prays \u201cClear me from hidden faults.\u201d Or \u201cCleanse me from hidden faults.\u201d Knowing that he could not know just how many his\u00a0errors\u00a0were before God, David seeks cleansing even from the sins and\u00a0faults\u00a0that were secret to him. It is hopeless to expect to see all our spots; therefore, we must pray, \u201cO Lord, wash away in the atoning blood even those sins which my conscience has been unable to detect.\u201d Secret sins, like private conspirators, must be hunted out, or they may do deadly mischief; thus, we must seek God\u2019s cleansing. As David contemplates the \u2018perfect law, enlightening the eyes,\u2019, 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.\u00a0The 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.<\/p>\n\n\n
The word used here for \u201cfaults\u201d describes a sin that is committed in ignorance. The fact that the sin happened unintentionally doesn\u2019t make it acceptable, but that kind of sin wasn\u2019t judged as harshly as sins that were committed wilfully by the Jews. David\u2019s relationship to the Law is to use it as a diagnostic tool to find out where he is still\u00a0guilty, and not as justifying tool to proclaim himself\u00a0innocent. What a lesson for us all!! We have to constantly engage the word of God which reveals God\u2019s perfect plan for our lives, and shows how we ought to live in alignment with God\u2019s will. That revelation highlights our shortcomings for which we should immediately seek God\u2019s 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\u2019s word. When we sincerely confess, we experience cleansing and sweet communion with the Triune Godhead.<\/p>\n\n\n
Jermaine Gibson\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Monday Reflection \u2013 January 10, 2022 The Detecting Force of God\u2019s 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\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","watchword_topic":[12],"class_list":["post-729","watchword","type-watchword","status-publish","hentry","watchword_topic-hope"],"yoast_head":"\n