Helped!

Helped!

The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.

Psalm 34:18 AMPC

Context:

In order to fully understand the basis of today's extract, it is good to look at a few verses just before it. I read the words: Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? So, for all who will learn the fear of God, there are a few things that are non-negotiable. If I desire life, want to enjoy good days and see good, then today's lesson is just a part of God's requirement for my life. God is not a genie, who, at the wave of a wand, must do as commanded, but he is the miracle working God, who has terms and conditions for dealing with man. If I will get all of him, I must obey all of his instructions. 

As I live my life, I may do wrong. Sometimes, I may cause offence to other people, or step on toes. Sometimes, I will know immediately that I have done wrong but sometimes, it may take other people telling me what I have done wrong. No matter how I come to know the truth, how I handle the information speaks a lot about my control centre and my priorities. 

Message and Response:

When I have sinned or done wrong, can God reach me immediately so he can correct me and set me on the right path? Am I quick to own up to my wrong, or do I need to be hit on the head over and over again before I make amends? Am I like Cain, that God had to warn that sin was crouching at his door, and he needed to be careful. He did not heed God's warning and we know how he ended up. Sin does not ring a bell, neither does it announce itself, but its effect and impact are eternal. 

Compare Cain with David: both sinned under the old testament, but we see how each had different reactions to sin and God's dealings. David was a bit heady but when he was shown the terrible nature of his sin with Uriah and Bathsheba, he was truly sorry. He could do nothing about the consequences of his own actions, but he made his way right with God, because he was a man who always craved God's presence. When God's presence is my daily pursuit, I will hate sin the same way God does. If I am careless about God's presence, then it means that I will be slow to respond to God's warning about sin in my life. If he can't warn me, how does he correct me? If he can't keep me, how do I make it to eternal life with him? 

God is close to those whose hearts are receptive to his warnings. He is not man who can be fooled by external devotion. He is not moved by pious service only, but by a heart that is totally devoted and receptive to him. Does that describe me? Today's extract says that God is close to such people, and the reason is simple: they are receptive and responsive to what God is saying. If I hate sin the same way God does, it means that God can easily convict my heart when I do wrong. If I am not hypocritical, but sincerely sorry for sin, it means that God can trust my heart will not be led astray by the deceit of sin. 

I must not be like Cain, difficult to reach and teach, but must be like David, quick to teach and ready to submit to God's leading, teaching and correction. If God cannot reach me, I am beyond help. If God cannot correct me, I am destined for destruction. If God's Word cannot convict my heart, it means I am beyond being saved. I take careful stock today;  where do I stand? His time of favour is here.