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by Sandy Shaw
What happened to George Floyd was inexcusable and reprehensible – so is rioting, looting, and burning buildings.
Why is this happening? For years, we have tried to be a moral people – without God – and that does not work.
Many have been taught that morality comes from our hearts and minds – and not from Almighty God, and the Scriptures.
What we have seen on the streets has been highly orchestrated.
Our nation’s laws are based on the Commandments and Principles in Scripture – from which we are moving far away. People have jumped from the sure rock-like foundation. We need a word to address us as disciples of Jesus at this time
Psalm 130 addresses a very serious time in the Psalmist’s life. The Psalmist is revealing something profound as he goes through a difficult time - embracing and experiencing suffering. He sees his predicament.
There are times when Jesus allows us to see ourselves. How do we react and respond when God allows us to see ourselves?
Psalm 130 is very much a personal testimony although it is one of a series. The Psalmist declares his desperate and desolate experience.
There is a similar revelation at Psalm 66 verse 16 – almost explaining and summarising what the Psalter is all about.
Psalm 130 is one of the penitential Psalms, where the writer comes in penitence – in his affliction and sadness – but the writer here finds consolation and comfort for his soul.
John Wesley was greatly influenced by this Psalm. John Owen found comfort in these words which lifted him out of the depths he was experiencing.
Verse 1 – We learn something of the condition of the Psalmists predicament. He is crying out for release – for deliverance – for help.
“Out of the depths I cry to You, O, Lord. O, Lord, hear my voice.”
Yes, we must not be too surprised if we find ourselves in the depths.
Depths and valleys are mentioned often in the Psalms – where there is great danger – and even horror. It is the picture of deep waters closing around the Psalmist’s head.
There are different types of depths in the Psalms. The Psalmist feels he is like a drowning man. What oppresses him here is the depths and reality of his own sin. Stress can reveal itself in various ways.
The Psalmist is longing for the knowledge of forgiveness. He is experiencing anguish of heart over his sin.
Jonah found himself in a similar serious position.
Who is this Psalmist? He is a man of God who experiences something of the depth of his own sin. One of the marks of growth and maturity can be when a man can see the seriousness of sin.
Many Christians are more convicted of their sins after their conversion than before they came to faith in Jesus Christ.
The nearer you get to the light the more ugly the blackness can appear.
He is praying to the Lord. He knows how to pray and to whom he should pray – and when you are about to drown, you cry – you cry out – to God.
There is an urgency about his words. He is concerned with this one thing.
His great need is not directed to men – but to God. His fixation is upon God.
Verse 2 – Note the concern the Psalmist showed regarding his condition –
“O, Lord, hear my voice – let Your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.”
He knows the experience of being in the depths – and this is being written by a man of God – and God does not edit this out of His Word. And why? Because this is real. This is reality.
The Psalmist is aware of his sins and he thinks that if God recorded his sins, no-one would be able to stand in His presence.
When somebody criticises you – having a real go at you – if you say to them – “If you knew how bad I really was, you would not even speak to me!” That can disarm people.
The Psalmist is not ashamed to admit that he was in the depths - and God is so prepared and willing to incorporate and include this in His Word.
This is one positive aspect of reading the whole of Scripture – and not simply our favourite passages.
Verse 3 - We have to face what the Psalmist writes about – and God has something practical and relevant to say to us and teach us through these words.
Isaiah knew this in Chapter 6 as he stood before God in the Temple.
Isaiah, a man of God, saw himself standing in the presence of a holy God.
It is Peter crying out – ‘Depart from me; I am a sinful man’. Luke 5 verse 8.
It is Paul speaking to the Corinthians about godly sorry which tears the heart, and leads to repentance. 2 Corinthians 7 verse 10
The Psalmist must get to God – he must get through to God.
And yet, we know how God comes to in Jesus at such an hour.
Verse 4 – The Psalmist knows to whom he has come – and he knows that there is forgiveness with God – and help from God.
The dawn is coming – the light is beginning to shine.
I wait – I wait upon God – and my hope and assurance is in His Word.
The answer will come from Holy Scripture – from the Bible.
The light will come from Jesus Christ.
“Righteous Father – let the light of Jesus shone brightly from our lives – we pray for those make our laws – remembering how man has turn away from Your ways as revealed in You Word – in Holy scripture – in the Bible. You have always had men who would arise and proclaim Your Word – have mercy upon us – raise up prophetic leaders who like Jesus know what to say and how to say it – in Jesus name.” Amen
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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