Who doesn't love a good theological discussion? Pick your subject: soteriology, hermeneutics, exegetics, oh...and, of course, eschatology. There is an endless river of subject material to explore. The sheer amount of variety is staggering. One could easily spend a lifetime deciphering the mysteries and complexities of the Bible...and many have done just that.
Discussing the various dimensions of God's word is a noble and time worthy endeavor. In fact, if you are not engaged in the word of God in some capacity, then I would encourage you to run, not walk, to your nearest Bible and start reading. Forget this commentary; go now and get to it. If you have time to read this, then I'd rather you spent it with God. But where do your start? Okay, give me just a couple of more minutes.
Many Christians will resolutely say that the best place to start is the New Testament; chiefly, the book of John. Well, who can argue with that? Certainly not me. And while that is good advice for the unbelievers that are out there, I am talking about those of you who already know the Lord.
So, keeping that in mind, I'd like to proffer to you seven numbers: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143. Right now, even as you read them, your mind is trying to make some sense of how they relate to one another. Is there a pattern? Are they lottery numbers? Are they page numbers? Well, before I reveal to you why I've included them, let's talk about a King.
You probably are pretty familiar with King David. As a believer, I should hope so. If not, then once again, run, don't walk, to your Bible and start reading. Anyway, King David was a lot of things...not very many of those things were good. He was a murderer and an adulterer for starters. Suffice it to say, he struggled with sin, just like the rest of us. Yet, the Bible says that God regarded David as a "man after his own heart". What? How does that make sense? Why?
Because. Even though David did some pretty lame things, he truly understood his relationship to the God of the universe. He knew that he fell short. He knew that he was imperfect. He knew that he could not succeed without God. He was subordinate. He let God be the boss. And when he didn't...he repented; truthful, contritious repentance. Not just a token "I'm sorry, God. Forgive me please" in the shower before work. No--he sought after God's mercy with total abandon and sincerity. He was prostrate before the Lord. He tarried and he suffered. He meant it. He was desperate for salvation. He knew what was at stake...his very life. David actually knew what God wanted.
How do we know all of this? David recorded these things in the book of Psalms. In fact, there are seven psalms that are considered penitential; that is, psalms that illustrate David's heart of repentance. Yes, they are the seven numbers from before: Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143. Read them. It is important. It will show you the kind of heart that God responds to. Don't you want God to respond to you? David did; and God responded. You can read them in order, but I usually tell people to start with Psalm 51. It's life altering.
Okay, before you go, just one more thing: try to enter in to this with a spirit of willingness. If you don't have that, then just ask God to give it to you. It works.
What? You aren't feeling very forgiving today? Just ask God to give you a spirit of willingness to forgive.
What? You aren't feeling very patient today? Just ask God to give you a spirit of willingness to be patient.
You see, it is actually that simple. God knows when you don't want to forgive or be patient or whatever else you are lacking. But he honors the honest transparency of his children who seek Him to correct it. How is this relevant to David?
Well, you will discover that this is exactly what David, himself, did. He asked God to create a willing spirit within him. And God did. Yes, David was a truly penitent man. Is it any wonder that God chose David's bloodline through which Jesus, God's own Son, would enter the world in order to save it? Is it a coincidence that repentance plays a key role in our salvation?
David. A man after Gods own heart, indeed. I think I need to go find my knees now.
-pastortimothy
Discussing the various dimensions of God's word is a noble and time worthy endeavor. In fact, if you are not engaged in the word of God in some capacity, then I would encourage you to run, not walk, to your nearest Bible and start reading. Forget this commentary; go now and get to it. If you have time to read this, then I'd rather you spent it with God. But where do your start? Okay, give me just a couple of more minutes.
Many Christians will resolutely say that the best place to start is the New Testament; chiefly, the book of John. Well, who can argue with that? Certainly not me. And while that is good advice for the unbelievers that are out there, I am talking about those of you who already know the Lord.
So, keeping that in mind, I'd like to proffer to you seven numbers: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143. Right now, even as you read them, your mind is trying to make some sense of how they relate to one another. Is there a pattern? Are they lottery numbers? Are they page numbers? Well, before I reveal to you why I've included them, let's talk about a King.
You probably are pretty familiar with King David. As a believer, I should hope so. If not, then once again, run, don't walk, to your Bible and start reading. Anyway, King David was a lot of things...not very many of those things were good. He was a murderer and an adulterer for starters. Suffice it to say, he struggled with sin, just like the rest of us. Yet, the Bible says that God regarded David as a "man after his own heart". What? How does that make sense? Why?
Because. Even though David did some pretty lame things, he truly understood his relationship to the God of the universe. He knew that he fell short. He knew that he was imperfect. He knew that he could not succeed without God. He was subordinate. He let God be the boss. And when he didn't...he repented; truthful, contritious repentance. Not just a token "I'm sorry, God. Forgive me please" in the shower before work. No--he sought after God's mercy with total abandon and sincerity. He was prostrate before the Lord. He tarried and he suffered. He meant it. He was desperate for salvation. He knew what was at stake...his very life. David actually knew what God wanted.
How do we know all of this? David recorded these things in the book of Psalms. In fact, there are seven psalms that are considered penitential; that is, psalms that illustrate David's heart of repentance. Yes, they are the seven numbers from before: Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143. Read them. It is important. It will show you the kind of heart that God responds to. Don't you want God to respond to you? David did; and God responded. You can read them in order, but I usually tell people to start with Psalm 51. It's life altering.
Okay, before you go, just one more thing: try to enter in to this with a spirit of willingness. If you don't have that, then just ask God to give it to you. It works.
What? You aren't feeling very forgiving today? Just ask God to give you a spirit of willingness to forgive.
What? You aren't feeling very patient today? Just ask God to give you a spirit of willingness to be patient.
You see, it is actually that simple. God knows when you don't want to forgive or be patient or whatever else you are lacking. But he honors the honest transparency of his children who seek Him to correct it. How is this relevant to David?
Well, you will discover that this is exactly what David, himself, did. He asked God to create a willing spirit within him. And God did. Yes, David was a truly penitent man. Is it any wonder that God chose David's bloodline through which Jesus, God's own Son, would enter the world in order to save it? Is it a coincidence that repentance plays a key role in our salvation?
David. A man after Gods own heart, indeed. I think I need to go find my knees now.
-pastortimothy
