Lincoln

Following confrontation by Nathan, King David faces up to the ugly realities of his life. Therefore, Psalm 51 unfolds for us an honest confession of a broken sinner and his expectations of a merciful God. David became guilty of far more than he ever thought possible. It began with coveting another man’s wife which soon led to adultery, then the extermination of Uriah, who was the innocent husband and loyal to both wife and king. Such is the seductive nature of sin, it’s never content with the status quo, it must have more. You can read the sad account in 2 Samuel chapters 11-12.

David’s guilt had gripped him, and finally he confessed; I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. His offense was first and foremost against Holy God, all other offenses were secondly. This confession included acknowledging the correctness of God in calling a sinner to account and the impending judgement should he not repent. David accepted that God was justified in His words and blameless in His judgment of his sin (Psalm 51:3-4). David knew that he was exposed and condemned before an all knowing and holy God.

David could not undo his wrongs. He certainly could never restore innocence or Uriah’s life which he had extinguished. Realising his impending judgment, and the impossibility of making things right again, he cries out “have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love” (Psalm 51:1). Hope ONLY existed in the merciful heart of a loving God. David’s hope and request were simple enough; “wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” (Psalm 51:2). He could not cleanse himself of these sins, others did not even want to forgive him, but God was both able and willing to cleanse David of his shocking crimes.

But cleansing of specific sins was not sufficient to prevent David repeating history. So, he asked the ONLY one who could do the impossible, he asked God; “create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). ONLY God has the desire and ability to regenerate an instinctively selfish and sinful heart to be clean and right before Him. What’s more, David knew that ONLY God could replace guilt and pain with joy. “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:12). Self-correction and self-determination could not maintain a righteous walk, but God can recreate a person’s heart so thoroughly that joy in God’s salvation becomes the new default. ONLY God can redesign the inner workings of a person so that volitional faithfulness becomes the joyful norm. And repentant David knew this.

However, personal reconciliation with God is never to be without its impact on others. David realised that this spiritual recreation within had to cause him to reach outside of self-interest. Consequently, David acknowledges that he “will teach transgressors God’s ways, and sinners will return to you” (Psalm 51:13). His renewed life, and his recreated right relationship with the Lord had to flow to others so that God could be glorified in their lives as in his own.

Finally, David desired to “sing aloud of God’s righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise” (Psalm 51:14-15). Even in worship, David realised his dependency upon the Lord to enable him to verbally praise God appropriately. Silent gratitude was not to be the pattern of David’s life. The world had to know what God had done in rescuing sinful David. May this be true in each of us?

Most people experience the stresses of life that drive anxiety to challenging levels. Relationships, health, family, business, employment, finance, the list goes on and on. What is more, the world provides an ever-increasing list of ideologies, systems, policies, and circumstances which serve as fertile ground for anxiety.

Proverbs 12:25 speaks of both reality and relief in this matter; anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Anxiety and gladness do not go together, which is precisely Solomon’s point. Anxiety can seriously impact our lives if allowed, with physical health, emotional health, and spiritual heath, all getting damaged and scarred. So, we agree with Solomon, anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, even to the point of feeling crushed breathless. Anxiety is not necessarily sin related, and it’s not necessarily connected to worry, but it can be.

Solomon knew the power of words, and here he speaks of the remedial qualities of good words. I suggest these are righteous words, possibly corrective words, both supportive and affirming. The believer’s arsenal of good words is vast, welling up from God’s Word with realistic help for those hammered by anxiety. Good words are not a magic formulae for instant success but go a long way in God’s recovery program. The heavy heart can be glad with a gladness which does not deny the realities causing anxiety. This gladness fixes its attention on someone higher and more powerful than the anxiety.

You see, good words communicate much more than niceties, although they may be included. Good words carry a host of truths which enable the anxious person, should they choose, to align their hearts with God’s truth, placing anxiety in submission to the supremacy of God. Good words are simply the vehicle a believer uses to deliver the necessary truth which can bring gladness.

Sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8) are critical attitudes necessary for those attempting to speak healing words into a troubled heart. Patient grace is another one of Christ’s qualities which communicates love and opens the heart to receive much needed help (2Co 8:7; Col 4:6). As many know, anxiety does not need verbal fluff with no substance, hollow Christian rhetoric is of no help.

Similarly, if anxiety is caused by sin, then you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness… (Galatians 6:1). Coming alongside a believer distracted by the sweet poison of sinful living is a much-needed grace in calling them to repentance. The good words an anxious believer caught in sin needs to hear is that forgiveness is available. A clear conscience and restoration await. In Psalm 51, David reveals the restoration from his own backsliding. Psalm 51:7-8 explains …wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. ⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

Good words remind us that God is sovereign, controlling all that we cannot control. God is unchanging and therefore He is dependable. God is holy; therefore, He is pure and consistent in all He says and does. God is compassionate and understanding as He listens and responds to His hurting children. God’s Son really does …sympathize with our weaknesses… and, in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).

These are just some of the good words anxious people need to hear for the restoration of gladness. May we be speakers of good words.

Humans worship. Humanity is designed for worship. Even the so-called atheist worships something, possibly self. There is no escaping the fact that mankind always finds something or someone to attach their affections to, and that thing becomes the focal point of worship whether consciously or unconsciously.

When tempted by Satan, Jesus reminded him; “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve’” (Luke 4:8). Even though Satan knew this, he continued in rebellion against His creator instead of worshiping his creator. Satan’s problem is, as Isaiah 14:14 explains, he said in his heart “I will make myself like the Most High.” Well, Satan failed miserably! Not only is he NOT at all like the Most High, but he now worships himself only, which is the ultimate form of idolatry.

It is God’s holiness which qualifies Him to be worshipped above all else. Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11). Revelation 15:3-4 tells of the coming time when as King of the nations! ⁴ Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you. As John looked forward with certainty to this future time, he could see earth’s population coming together to worship God through the Lamb as King (Rev 15:3a).

Truly, God alone is worthy of our worship, but we sinners disqualify ourselves for worship. Plus, of our own desires we do not want to worship Him. But, in the grace of God, He has provided one way by which we may approach Him to offer acceptable worship. And that one way is through the one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). Because the blood of Jesus God’s Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7) we are able to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean…  (Hebrews 10:22). As cleansed, forgiven sinners, we now desire to worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus… (Philippians 3:3).

Therefore, take care to let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism (self-denial which is falsely motivated) and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind (Colossians 2:18). Worship of our experience is NOT worship, but idolatry. False worship is cunning in the way it side tracts our focus from Christ alone and somehow inserts ourselves into the expression of worship, making our worship experience the thing most valued.

Worship can take on many forms, but it’s focus should always be the same – God through Christ. Everything we are, and everything we do, inwardly and outwardly, is to be expressive of worship to God through Christ. This adds meaningful purpose to the most mundane activities. It lifts our eyes above life’s difficulties to God’s glorious purposes which are uniquely fulfilled through our struggles. Worship in the midst of pain is a powerful testimony to angelic beings of God’s worthiness and our purpose in life (Ephesians 3:10). It’s a testimony to the world that Christ is of greater significance than our comfort.

We look continuously to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). We understand that Jesus is our only point of access to God. In our hearts we join the heavenly proclamation, worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing! (Revelation 5:12). We worship, and He is worthy of our worship!

Lurking beneath the surface of unrest is an insidious disease preventing any hope of world peace being achieved by its own means. Social reforms fail, judicial reforms are ineffective, and political rhetoric simply lack the moral and spiritual teeth to achieve what is so desperately needed. Increasingly, injustice plays out, evil is tolerated, conflict is excused, and wrongdoing is accommodated by worldly systems. Peace, which most people desire, continues to elude mankind.


Paul springboards his letter to the Galatians with a bold and victorious greeting that sums up humanity’s greatest need and God’s comprehensive solution to that need. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴ who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵ to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen (Galatians 1:3-5). This greeting is almost a letter of its own and could equally serve as a meaningful doxology.

As is so typical of Paul’s writings, mankind’s singular point of access to God is through His grace. Grace is the only door, opening to the only path leading to peace with God. What’s more, God’s gracious peace is only accessible through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. At this point the inquisitive mind may ask, “but how is this possible?” The answer begins, as always, with God who exercised His will in sending His Son to earth. He did not do this to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:17).

God’s purpose was for Jesus’ earthly destination to be death on a Cross. Jesus gave himself to this task knowing that the full weight of His Father’s judgement for our sin would target Him on the cross. Jesus’ unearned condemnation for our sin was according to the will of our God. Jesus was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, (Isaiah 53:5) and with his wounds we are healed of the deadly disease of sin. This is what sinful humanity is called to believe. Belief in this gospel truth of Jesus Christ is God’s only solution to deliver us from the present evil age.

Paul proclaims that glory forever and ever is assigned to God for doing such an undeserved and uninvited act of grace toward humanity. We believe in Jesus’ power to forgive sin primarily for the glory of God. In the obedience of belief, we receive the eternal blessing of forgiveness and eternal life. Upon belief in Jesus Chirst as our substitute on the cross, we receive the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God (1 Corinthians 2:12). Upon belief in Jesus, we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).

God’s grace through Jesus Christ delivers us from the power of sin which inescapably produces eternal death. God’s grace, therefore, enables spiritual rebirth and adoption to God through belief in Jesus’ death and resurrection for your sin. Just as God was specific in the giving of Jesus, so we need to be specific in our belief in Jesus. Consequently, Jesus words remain true, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27). May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13).

Activities are synonymous with breathing. If we live, we do things. Even when stationary or sleeping, we do things with our thoughts. Christians are called, then spiritually rebirthed, for an activity which requires determined work. It is appropriate work because Christ lived, died, resurrected, and ascended for the very same work.


Jesus prayed before His crucifixion; I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world… (John 17:6). Jesus’ Father had provided Him with people to whom He was to reveal His Father. Jesus was not on a lone mission for His own purposes. Exposing the world to His own divine identity was not Jesus’ primary mission. Making the glorious character of God the Father known and evidenced through His life WAS Jesus’ primary purpose.

Accordingly, Jesus began His high priestly prayer with the words glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you (John 17:1). Even though Jesus was worthy of glory, His humility purposed to glorify His Father first and foremost. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do (John 17:4). Here, Jesus describes glorifying His Father as work. This is true for us also. Against the resistance of the world and our own fleshly inclinations, we labour for the supreme purpose of glorifying God. It involves considerable effort, sacrifice, and perseverance with actions.

So, how do we saved sinners glorify God? Matthew 5:14-16 provides some insights. Jesus explains, you are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. This is a God centred life ethic that unashamedly lives and functions to give expression to God’s character that can be seen by others.

Believers do good works and give glory to your Father through both simple and complex activities. From the mondain to the exciting things in life, we purpose to expose those around us to God, and often without speaking a word. From friendship with the lonely, feeding the hungry, teaching to read, talking through the complexities of life with the downcast, to proclaiming the good news of the gospel, these are all glorifying works. Missionary efforts, discipling others, preaching God’s Word, caring for orphans, loving the unlovable, and even praying for and blessing those who curse you (Luke 6:28), these all spread the glory of God as those who cannot be hidden.

A humble work ethic for God recognises that we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). Therefore, we lean into the task with dependence upon the Holy Spirit for motivation, determination, and energy. We fill our minds with the Word of God’s (Jn 17:17; Col 3:16) truth which enables us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship… (Romans 12:1-2).

Like Paul, we forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13). We resolve not to be dictated to by previous and reoccurring pains or wrongs. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit… whom you have from God. You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).