One truth that we must embrace and hold tightly is expressed beautifully by David in Psalm 85:2. There he wrote: "Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people, Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah." For here we have the legal basis for all the blessings of salvation.
We are guilty in Adam and have walked in a multitude of our own sins. The wages of sin is death, and it opens the doors of hell with all its woe. How then can we be born again? What right do we have to let the light of God's grace fall on us? On what basis can we trust God to bestow on us as much as one blessing?
The answer is beautifully stated in our versification:
Lord, Thou hast favor shown Thy land;
Restored again Thy captive band;
Thy people's sins Thou pardoned hast;
And all their guilt hast covered o'er,
Removed from them Thy anger sore,
All Thy fierce wrath behind Thee cast.
It is wonderful that God delivers us from the punishment of sin; but more important it is that He delivers us from the guilt that calls for this punishment. And note that God forgave our iniquity. Hecovered our sins. He covered us with the robes of righteousness of Christ.
He is the unchangeable, righteous Judge Who will keep His word to Adam that in the day man sins, he deserves death. That word He will keep, and therefore He sent His Son to suffer the punishment and blot out our guilt.
How thankful then we ought to be as we approach the day when we celebrate the birth of that Son.
Forgiven in the righteousness of the cross of Christ we can be born again and, by the Spirit of Christ, enlightened in regard to this wonder of God's grace. And then faith in God and His Son may be and is given to us.
Read: Psalm 85
Psalter versification: 231:1
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter number 91
Why not sing along??
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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Hosea 10 ; Hosea 11 ; Hosea 12 ; Hosea 13 ; Hosea 14
Jude 1:1-25
Psalm 127:1-5
Proverbs 29:15-17
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Quote for Reflection:
"Raising covenant children is arguably the most important thing that Christians do in the Kingdom. God has chosen in His sovereign wisdom and mercy to make the church herself the ‘seedbed of election.’ Richard Bacon
Additional Info
- Date: 8-December
