Humility

I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. [Psalm 18.3]

Here is a thought. What if I called upon the LORD, Who is worthy of praise, and I was NOT saved from my enemies?

Here we go... Perhaps if I called upon the LORD and I was NOT saved from my enemies, then it must not have been His will. You think?

Look at verses 19-24 of Psalm 18:

He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. The LORD rewarded me for doing right; he restored me because of my innocence. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not turned from my God to follow evil. I have followed all his regulations; I have never abandoned his decrees. I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. The LORD rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence. [Psalm 18.19-24]

First off, there is no way I can make the statements above (Psalm 18-19-24) in good conscience. Why? Because there is simply too much sin in my life.

I believe the arrangement of 2 Samuel 22 must be out of place in the timeline of David's life because as it is arranged now, there is no way David could have made the statements of Psalm 18.19-24 after his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah her husband!

So, what am I saying? I am saying that praise is not for the unrepentant. I am also saying that repentance does not give way to proud statements of innocence either. A truly humble and repentant soul will never claim innocence! He may praise God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, but he cannot claim innocence. Why? Because he is not innocent!

If indeed, as I believe, Psalm 18 was written before David's sin with Bathsheba, is it any wonder that David succumbed to his sin with Bathsheba on the heels of such arrogant statements found in Psalm 18.19-24?

We have a lot to praise God for, but we also have a lot to repent for. When our praise progresses to claims of innocence, I believe we better look out! David's example is too profound to overlook!

Yes, God forgives when we repent. Yes, we can be assured in that fact. But, to claim innocence afterwards makes me believe, like David, we are in for a fall.

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. [Proverbs 16.18]

Father, help me to remain humble and repentant. Even when Your forgiveness and healing comes, let my heart remain humble and repentant! And, until Your forgiveness and healing come, I will continue to repent!