True Forgiveness
Daleth
I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
Psalm 119:25-32
Sometimes it’s costly to follow Jesus. As many Christians have experienced over time. To live according to His ways is to invite suffering, pain, rejection and hurt.
I don’t claim to have suffered much. I haven’t and I know it. But I do know something of what it feels like to be ridiculed for following Jesus. I know something of what it feels like to be dismissed as weird, a fool or even a bad person.
Like the Psalmist, I know another form of suffering. It’s that feeling of shame knowing that you didn’t follow Jesus like you should have.
It’s staying quiet when you should have said something. It’s keeping your hands at your sides instead of helping. It’s choosing to be selfish when there is an opportunity for selflessness. It’s that feeling of looking up to God and knowing that I grieved His Holy Spirit.
The Psalmist knows these feelings and so leads us to cry out; keep me from shame, teach me your ways and be gracious to me. And He has been. He has. In Jesus, my failures are forgiven. In Jesus, I am victorious.
Though I am not worthy of any grace. In His kindness. Christ has raised me up alongside Him. If you trust in Him, that’s true of you too.
For Today:
Pray: Praise the Father who raises us up with Christ to a place of honour. Give thanks for Jesus who suffered the shame of the cross for our sins. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to give you and others strength and joy as you see His grace to you.
I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
Psalm 119:25-32
Sometimes it’s costly to follow Jesus. As many Christians have experienced over time. To live according to His ways is to invite suffering, pain, rejection and hurt.
I don’t claim to have suffered much. I haven’t and I know it. But I do know something of what it feels like to be ridiculed for following Jesus. I know something of what it feels like to be dismissed as weird, a fool or even a bad person.
Like the Psalmist, I know another form of suffering. It’s that feeling of shame knowing that you didn’t follow Jesus like you should have.
It’s staying quiet when you should have said something. It’s keeping your hands at your sides instead of helping. It’s choosing to be selfish when there is an opportunity for selflessness. It’s that feeling of looking up to God and knowing that I grieved His Holy Spirit.
The Psalmist knows these feelings and so leads us to cry out; keep me from shame, teach me your ways and be gracious to me. And He has been. He has. In Jesus, my failures are forgiven. In Jesus, I am victorious.
Though I am not worthy of any grace. In His kindness. Christ has raised me up alongside Him. If you trust in Him, that’s true of you too.
For Today:
- When did you feel shamed for following Jesus?
- When did you feel shame for failing to follow Jesus like you should have?
- Do you see that Jesus has taken your shame?
Pray: Praise the Father who raises us up with Christ to a place of honour. Give thanks for Jesus who suffered the shame of the cross for our sins. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to give you and others strength and joy as you see His grace to you.
Posted in Psalms
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