But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. He will repay my enemies for their evil. In your faithfulness, put an end to them. With a freewill-offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good. For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. (Psalm 54: 4-7)
Recently I sat across from a faithful and capable man who - with modern phrases - might have been quoting these verses. In this case his troubles are my troubles and his deliverence would be my deliverence.
I was humbled by his confidence in God's personal care. My response was something similar to "If so, for me, it would be an extraordinary example of grace because I do not deserve it." He seemed surprised by this response and gently argued otherwise.
My troubles are nothing compared to millions of others. Compared to others my troubles are blessings. My sin is no less than millions of others. Compared to the hungry and orphaned children of a dozen wars I have no special claim to God's attention.
I was surprised by my friend's argument that I might deserve grace, and the implication that he, too, might deserve it. I have not earned God's grace. I can accept that Jesus earned this grace for me, but that is very different than deserving it.
Yet I am certainly, if reluctantly, a recipient of God's grace. The reluctance is a problem. This is pride disguised as humility. This is a continued effort to be in control rather than defer to God's intention for me. This is an impediment to being in full relationship with God.
Teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. (Psalm 51: 6-10)
Recently I sat across from a faithful and capable man who - with modern phrases - might have been quoting these verses. In this case his troubles are my troubles and his deliverence would be my deliverence.
I was humbled by his confidence in God's personal care. My response was something similar to "If so, for me, it would be an extraordinary example of grace because I do not deserve it." He seemed surprised by this response and gently argued otherwise.
My troubles are nothing compared to millions of others. Compared to others my troubles are blessings. My sin is no less than millions of others. Compared to the hungry and orphaned children of a dozen wars I have no special claim to God's attention.
I was surprised by my friend's argument that I might deserve grace, and the implication that he, too, might deserve it. I have not earned God's grace. I can accept that Jesus earned this grace for me, but that is very different than deserving it.
Yet I am certainly, if reluctantly, a recipient of God's grace. The reluctance is a problem. This is pride disguised as humility. This is a continued effort to be in control rather than defer to God's intention for me. This is an impediment to being in full relationship with God.
Teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. (Psalm 51: 6-10)
posted by Didymus | 5:14 AM
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