The Bible can intimidate me sometimes. Certain statements bring on the guilt. Here are just a few of them: “You are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48); “You must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy” (1 Peter 1:15). Psalm 119 elicits enough guilt to last a lifetime: “I have devoted myself to Your commandments” (Psalm 119:45); “I rise at midnight to thank You for Your just regulations” (Psalm 119:62); “I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of Your laws” (Psalm 119:99); “I have done what is just and right” (Psalm 119:121).
Yet, when read closely, Psalm 119 holds much help and encouragement for us. The poem expresses the longings and musings of a fellow struggler who constantly implores God for help. “Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect Your decrees!” (Psalm 119:5). That’s a plaintive cry I can relate to. “I have tried hard to find You—don’t let me wander from Your commands” (Psalm 119:10). Yes! That’s my prayer. “You made me; You created me. Now give me the sense to follow Your commands” (Psalm 119:73). This guy speaks for me!
The “impossible” statements—the ones that seem to make absolute declarations of fidelity to God and righteousness—comprise an ideal. They put words to the goal we’re to pursue. We hunger for a perfect God. Anything less would be—well—ungodly. Our uneasy awareness of God’s holy standard informs us of our need for a Savior. We grow acutely aware of the fact that we can’t do it!
And so, this longest of psalms with its “impossible” aspirations to spiritual greatness concludes so very humanly: “I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten Your commands” (Psalm 119:176).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 1:35-51
More:
Hebrews 10 blends some difficult warnings with some of the best encouragement in the Bible. Read Hebrews 10:8-14 and ask yourself what makes you holy.
Next:
What’s causing guilt in your life, and why? What would the psalmist do with such guilt?
mike on June 17, 2013 at 6:48 am
I am reminded of Titus 3:5
“He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”
So thankful that I not only have Him but more importantly He has me.
Blessings!!
mike wittmer on June 19, 2013 at 10:31 am
Thank you for this explanation of the tension that will always accompany our Christian life. I must aspire to follow God’s commands while gladly receiving forgiveness for the many times I fail, which then inspires me to try again.
winn collier on June 22, 2013 at 8:11 pm
being loved and welcomed makes those seeming impossibilities have a different air, doesn’t it?
daisymarygoldr on June 27, 2013 at 7:51 pm
It is important to note, the fellow struggler had penned the Psalm before Christ. Today, most of us living in the church age are born after Christ. If the Bible is read as just another book of philosophy, history, or poetry, then the high standard will certainly overwhelm you. This is one reason why many live defeated Christian lives trying to jump through the hoops.
On the other hand, those who are born of God’s Spirit don’t bristle at His words or find them to be oppressive. We have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given us the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
In all of my life so far I have not once felt intimidated by the impossible statements in Scriptures. The Bible makes us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to make us holy and perfect to be just like Him—to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.