The other day I was talking to a friend on facebook, and his atheist friend decided to through a fit about how he "never put Jesus on a cross," and how "anyone who did would be a terrible person." He then continued to tell me about how I was a terrible person ... which is fantastic. Either he got extremely lucky or he's been secretly reading his Bible, because he's exactly right. You and I ... we're people ... terrible people. In other, more "religious" terms, we're sinners. The Bible uses this old archery term which loosely translates to "missing the mark" as a clear picture of how we fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Luckily, not only is God the only righteous standard and judge, he the giver of truth (the word) and bringer of life (his son Jesus Christ). The young man on Facebook may have been absolutely right, but we can rest in the fact that we have been washed clean in the blood of Jesus Christ - that his death and subsequent resurrection payed the price for our "terribleness." God is your defense. God is your assurance, your peace. God is your "vindication" (justification).
Verses 1-2 Fact: Bears eat beats. Other fact: You're a sinner that claims to have been purchased at a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). When you make a mistake, people will be watching and will be ready to throw assumptions about your Jesus because of what you have done. This is why sin in the Christian life is so serious - it sends the wrong message about the redeeming and transforming qualities of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. David was no exception here. Whether we look at times when he was a farm boy or at his great triumph as a king - he was a sinner too. The mighty king David fell short of the glory of God just as much as you do. I'd beg to argue that the main difference comes in the manner in which we choose to react. Do you get worked up and try to reason your way out of it? Do you get in fights or arguments? Or do you retreat into the arms of the God who has already claimed victory through the cross? David says "vindicate me" ... or ... "clear me of blame, clear me of suspicion." As mighty as David was, the major battles that he won in his life were the work of a mighty God. For some reason, this section reminds me of Psalm 30:5 - "Pain may last a night, but joy comes in the morning." The potential torment you face when you sin is in no way comparable to the joy that God has given you in Christ. Own up to your sin. You are a terrible person, but those sins are paid for ... and as far as for anyone who rejects the sacrifice of Jesus Christ ... they're dead where they stand (Ephesians 2).
Verses 3-5 This section is pretty awesome. I don't want to go into detail too much, but David is simply taking joy in the law of the Lord. The rules and regulations that God set forth in the Bible are not there to make you miserable, but to protect you from harm. Let's be cheesy for a second - why did your parents tell you when you were 5 years old to not put your hand on the stove. Just as your unbelieving friends may harass you when you fall short, they will protest your love for the law of God. Psalms 1 says that blessed is the man who does not take council from the ungodly, but his delight is in the law of the lord in which he meditates day an night. David rejoices because when men (including him) are only skilled in corrupting the world, God's law stands firm. Read Psalm 19:7-9 ... God's law is perfect, and is worth rejoicing in.
Verse 5 sums it up:
"Hope in God, for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God."
Let God be your salvation!
-Chris
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