Weekly Infusion of Encouragment
Psalm 130:1-4 – “Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”
The world likes to tell us that if we do enough good deeds, spend enough time volunteering, or donate enough money and become “good” people, then God will save us. Because of the sin in our lives and the world, there is not enough we could ever do to save ourselves. So when we realize this inability, there is a change in attitude. Christ calls it a “poor spirit.” Here, the psalmist cries out from the “depths” as he realizes the truth of his sin. We must all come to this reality: that we have sinned against God and are deserving of death. However, out of the love of God, there exists forgiveness if we but humble ourselves and serve him. God reminds us that we don’t remain in the pit of our guiltiness, but he forgives us and raises us up so that we might stand and serve him.
Do you tend to rely more on your works or your faith? How might you be trying to “save yourself” or make up for something you regret and feel guilty for? Who do you know that might need to hear the optimism of the Gospel and the free gift of salvation that awaits them if they but seek God? Pray this week that God will humble your heart and that you would find assurance in the grace he provides. Pray and cry out to God for his forgiveness and you will find it.