15th February 2025

15th February 2025


Pray (ACts)


Read (Psalm 32)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


David was a man who knew the corrosive power of sin and guilt. By David’s actions and wicked plans, he had committed adultery with Bathsheba and conspired to have her husband Uriah abandoned on the field of battle. Such actions displeased the Lord (2 Samuel 11v27) and eventually the prophet Nathan stood before David and pronounced him guilty.


You and I might turn our backs on a man like David but thankfully for us all, God treats the repentant sinner with grace. David was restored and able to sing “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” (v1-2). David’s guilt had led him once again to the glorious grace of the Gospel. But what happens next in the life of a repentant sinner? Our only right response is gratitude.


As we consider this point we remind ourselves that Christ’s obedience should always be within our sight. He actively and passively obeyed and it is by His work that we are declared right with God. Therefore we do not obey the Lord out of an attempt to save ourselves, nor do we obey Him to keep us in His good books. Even on our best day we are but unprofitable servants who only do our duty. Even so, we must seek to follow the Lord in thankful gratitude for His abundant mercy.


The Christian will not be undone by a rush of great waters (v6b) and when trouble visits us, the Lord hides us, preserves us and surrounds us (v7). Furthermore, as we pilgrim through this world, the Lord instructs us by His Word and keeps His eye upon us (v8).


We are not to respond like a stubborn mule who needs a bit and bridle to be controlled (v9). Instead as we flee from our guilt to the glorious grace of God we respond willingly with obedience declaring “what does my Lord require?”


Jesus was asked a similar question during His earthly ministry when asked by a crowd “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Christ’s answer was Christ centred “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6v28-29)


What does our obedience look like? It is rooted and grounded in the person and work of Christ. It is an obedience which understands the sufficiency of Christ’s work and the abundance of His grace. Before we run to the mission team or the prayer meeting or the pulpit we should pause to marvel at the glory of our precious Saviour. No wonder David finished his Psalm with the words “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (v11).


Brothers and sisters, may the guilt that burdens us be daily loosed by the grace of God and in response may we seek to cling to Christ and follow Him in thankful, willing obedience. Guilt, grace and gratitude, this is the path of the child of God. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q8 How doth God execute his decrees? God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.
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