Holy is the LORD

At the music conference a couple of weeks ago, I attended a seminar on the book of Psalms. How I wish now that I had the time to dive in and really study that precious book full of praise and prayers and songs - cries, laments, rejoicing. There is so much beauty in that book. I could at least try to read a Psalm a day - so that's what I'm doing.

This morning I read Psalm 5, and one section, in particular, really hit me.

O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
You cannot tolerate the slightest sin.
Therefore, the proud will not be allowed to stand in Your presence,
For You hate all who do evil.
You will destroy those who tell lies.
The LORD detests murderers and deceivers.

Because of Your unfailing love, I can enter Your house;
With deepest awe I will worship at Your Temple.
(verses 4-7, NLT)

As I was praying yesterday, I realized that I was lacking a healthy fear of the LORD. Reading these few verses has reminded me the seriousness of my sin and how God feels about it. These are strong words - You cannot tolerate the slightest sin; You hate all who do evil. We cannot take this lightly. We cannot fall upon the mercy and grace of our awesome God in His provision of Jesus until we realize the stinging truth that we are sinful beings and God hates our sinful wickedness.

Have mercy on me, O God, because of Your unfailing love.

Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.

Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.

For I recognize my shameful deeds-they haunt me day and night.

Against You, and You alone, have I sinned;

I have done what is evil in Your sight.

You will be proved right in what You say,

And Your judgment against me is just.

For I was born a sinner-

Yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

But You desire honesty from the heart,

So You can teach me to be wise in my inmost being.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;

Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Oh, give me back my joy again;

You have broken me- now let me rejoice.

Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.

Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Renew a right spirit within me.

Do not banish me from Your presence,

And don't take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me again the joy of Your salvation,

And make me willing to obey You..

Then I will teach Your ways to sinners,

And they will return to You.

Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;

Then I will joyfully sing of Your forgiveness.

Unseal my lips, O LORD, that I may praise You.

You would not be pleased with sacrifices, or I would bring them.

If I brought You a burnt offering, You would not accept it.

The sacrifice You want is a broken spirit.

A broken and repentant heart, O God, You will not despise.

Look with favor on Zion and help her;

Rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Then You will be pleased with worthy sacrifices

And with our whole burnt offerings;

And bulls will again be sacrificed on Your altar.

-Psalm 51 (A Psalm of David)-

Oh, to plead with the LORD continually like this! We need to repent! I personally need to spend more time in repentance. Psalm 51 is a great place to start. Will you join me in an effort to remember the holiness of our great God - He who hates all those who do evil and won't tolerate even the slightest sin? And remember this -

SO NOW THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION

FOR THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS.

FOR THE POWER OF THE LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT

HAS FREED YOU THROUGH CHRIST JESUS

FROM THE POWER OF SIN THAT LEADS TO DEATH

-Romans 8:1&2

Praise the LORD! Amen.

Grace and peace to you.