Passage Read: Psalm 35-38
Meditation Verses: 36:1-2
Thought
The truly wicked man is one who cannot see his own sin, because wickedness itself flatters him concerning his wrong. He does not fear God because he's too impressed by his own wisdom and schemes and his ability to see his sin as something good and right. He can't imagine that God might hate him. He can't imagine that God has anything to say. In fact, he can hear the words of God in rebuke and see in them praise for his deeds. Perhaps the thing that should scare me most is when I hear no rebuke in any of God's word. If I can read God's word and never feel conviction of sin, if I only hear encouragement and praise and never rebuke, I should be very afraid. The wickedness of the wicked man praises all his wicked schemes. He thinks he is wise and clever even when he does things that many would call wrong. For him, it is the display of his great skill and intelligence. But the real power of the truly godly man is his humility, his ability to recognize his own sin and grieve over it, and his contrition that drives him to put away evil and diligently study to do good, this man can cry out for deliverance to God and watch for the Lord to display His favor and praise.
Application
David was a man after God's own heart, as God Himself testified. David delighted in the Lord and enjoyed great favor from Him. But he also missed the obviousness of his several recorded sins. But when confronted, he recognized them and didn't minimize his sin or justify himself. He didn't think God's favor towards him depended on his innocence or perfection; he knew it was because of His compassion on weak things, on humble people. He knew God is most pleased with those who genuinely desire to honor and obey Him, and He gladly forgives those who are grieved when they fail, seek His forgiveness and earnestly work to correct their ways. It is the humble and contrite that God loves, not those who are wise in their own eyes and cannot admit their wrong. The great ones are the humble ones, not the ones who deny their sin and weakness. I don't need to fear being found imperfect; I need to fear being unable to recognize my flaws, because then I can't grow in godliness, but must sink down further under the deception of my sin.