God is Fathful in His Consistency

 

With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; with the purified you deal purely,        and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down. For you are my lamp, O LORD, and my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. (2 Samuel 22:26–31 ESV).

 

Just in case we needed a reminder concerning the constant love and provision of God toward those He has called to be His children our reading today is repeated in Psalm 25. In that psalm David expresses in prayer his desire to take refuge in the Lord and walk in God’s ways. It is very similar to the first two psalms (cf. Psalm 1, 2). He petitions the Lord for guidance and protection from his enemies. But like us, David struggles to pray with confidence because he is very aware of his sinfulness. He begs God for forgiveness throughout the Psalm. But David also asserts his unwavering trust in the Lord—a trust that is not shaken by circumstances outside him or by the guilt within him. Although the Bible doesn’t give us the historical background for this Psalm, we can assume that it was written during a time of serious trouble in David’s life.  Throughout David’s life, he had many periods of trial or struggle in his life, from his time being hunted by Saul to the loss of his son. Based on his reference to the sins of his youth, we can also assume that it was written later in his life.

 

Since I have lived for over seven decades it is a bit easier to identify with David in this principle. I can look back over the years and recall so many times when God’s consistency has proven true in my life. That is even more vivid in my own inconsistency.

 

As I have worked with others in their realization of how inconsistent we can be as humans, I have used a stark reality in the process of the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctification. “Sanctification” is merely the work of making each of us fit for the kingdom of God. We have entrance into heaven as a result of Jesus’ atoning work on the cross; however, being ready for heaven is a process God initiates and completes through our journey. One of the greatest things about this process is realizing the truth that God has done it all! When I start to think of “my effort” I can realize it is nothing compared to His consistent work of grace for my good. Trust in that consistency in your life!