July 25, 2023

“If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? ”ps 130:3 nkjv

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.” ps 32:1-2 nkjv

Psalms 32 is one of those certain Bible chapters I never get tired of reading… These two verses always give me pause, because of what they say… and what the implications are. 1 John 1:9 is another companion verse from the New Testament that further comforts those of us, who deep within, know we are not worthy of the precious blood of Yeshua that was shed for us… assuring that theses verses can apply. There is no other way. The real fact, concerning these remarkable verses, is that they really are a mystery. Yahweh decided in eternity past, before time was, that the “lamb slain before the foundation of the world,” (rev 13:8; 1 peter 1:20 nkjv), would save His people… those who believe in Him and call upon His name (Yeshua=Salvation).

The Psalmist (presumed to be David), when considering his dismal state (vs 3-4), declares:

“I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him. 7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah” ps 32:5-7 nkjv

Do you find there are times when you feel wasted and defeated (a place where the enemy of our soul tries to drive us to)… mostly, I think, we forget the strength the of divine presence within our being that is waiting for us to let go of our confused and desperate efforts of self sustenance, and cry out as David does, and allow the refreshing inflow and renewing work of the Holy Spirit to sustain us.

Peter, in 1 peter 1:3-9 nkjv…

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”

The “end of your faith,” and salvation of our souls is, I think, that day when we depart this fragile clay shell and have consummation of the promise Yahweh has givens us, Peter says:

“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.” 1 peter 1:22-25 nkjv

Even 1000 years before Yeshua walked the earth, and Peter penned these words, the “Word of Yahweh," with its hope and promise, was Davids confession and substance of his faith… and it should be ours as well. After all, “the Word of the Lord endures forever.” It was eternal then, as it is now.

Shalom, John