On His Behalf….

When you read this Psalm it’s easy to get confused about what it says. It’s very easy to adopt a legalistic attitude. Jesus was put on trial. He was cross-examined. There was no evidence of Him being guilty. However, He was still crucified. That means an innocent man suffered and died. It’s His sacrificial death that gives us the ability to be forgiven. Once forgiven, we can declare our innocence for it is substituted upon us by Jesus. It’s like Jesus stands before God innocent. We stand before God guilty. Jesus steps in front of us, and God declares us innocent because He paid the fine for our trespass. God sees Jesus in front of us, and thus declares us righteous on His behalf. Some how David knew this, and wrote about it in this very Psalm. His attitude was that of Jesus’ attitude. He didn’t think lying was right. He hated hypocrisy. He didn’t join in with evil behavior. And he didn’t hang out with wicked people. And most importantly, he did all of this with the mindset of Jesus, humility with gratitude. It’s the only way it can work. Without Jesus, legalism results. We don’t live by rules, we live by faith. And faith in Jesus sets us above the law. David knew this and wrote about it often. Do you have this kind of faith? Ask God to infuse you with the confidence David had in God. David trusted God with his own life. Do you?

1 Declare me innocent, O Lord,for I have acted with integrity;I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.2 Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.Test my motives and my heart.3 For I am always aware of Your unfailing love,and I have lived according to Your truth.4 I do not spend time with liarsor go along with hypocrites.5 I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,and I refuse to join in with the wicked. Psalms 26:1-5