Pause!

Pause!

You have forgiven and taken away the iniquity of Your people, You have covered all their sin. Selah [pause, and calmly realize what that means]! Psalm 85:2 AMPC

Context and Charge:

The Word SELAH occurs 74 times in the Bible; 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk. So many interpretations exist for the definition of the word, but we will stick to the one that is part of the verse under consideration today. The writer of this psalm asks us to pause, and calmly realize the meaning of what we have just read. What is the message behind the words in the earlier part of this verse? First, it mentions the impact and effect of the mercy of God, revealed in the gift of His Son Jesus who came to take away the sin of the world It did not matter how bad the past was, how terrible the present is or how diabolical the future would be; the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is sufficient for all time. Even for generations not yet born, that sacrifice is paid forward on their behalf, that as long as they come to the One who died for sin, they would receive cleansing and forgiveness of sin, and of course a new beginning.

It is difficult to explain in full to someone who is yet to experience the new birth, but for all who have, it is our duty to share our experiences with other people. When you consider the magnitude of what you have received, it is enough to make you pause and consider who you are and where you stand. Without salvation, I would have been a candidate for eternal damnation, without hope of eternal life with God. By the death of Jesus, hope is sealed for all of eternity. By the death of Jesus, the price I would have paid is now fully settled. The demand for the price of sin can no longer be placed on me; Jesus paid it fully, with nothing left to settle. I note the reference to 'your people' in the verse above. This was written to Israel at the time, but as we know, we are the Israel of God, if we dare to trust in the finished work of Christ, and daily depend on His supply to sustain us all through life's journey. Without Him, we will fail miserably.

Conviction and Conclusion:

He does not just forgive sin; he takes it away completely. The seed of God in a man helps him to live above sin. The life of God in a man is the dynamo powering the lifestyle of obedience that is the hallmark of a person who has benefitted fully from the cross. Of course, that which I have received from God then places a burden on me; I have to live right, as one who appreciates what has been received. God has covered ALL our sin, not just some or almost all. His blood has not lost the power to cleanse and deliver, unless I step away and walk on my own. That is the power and the curse of free will, and I cannot blame God for the consequences of my choices. I pause again, and consider the mighty things I have received of God. I consider the provisions for the earthly and the eternal life that God has secured for me, and my only response is a sincere heart of appreciation. God's time of favour is here.