11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!
12 For evils have encompassed me
beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me. (Psalm 40:11-12)
Our Lord never restrains His good. His mercy falls upon His creation because it is at the core of Who/What He is. This mercy is present even when we fail to recognize it. Somedays it looks like a friend, and on others a car crash. For in these latter days we must cling to the belief that He indeed works all for our good. Mercy can look like defeat in the moment. For even when we are faithless, He demonstrates His steadfast love and reliability. Again, not because we necessarily deserve it but because of the substance of God’s character.
I appreciate what David is doing here. In verse 12 we see “evils” which are that which hinder us in the outside world, as well as “iniquities” which are self created evils which hinder us from intimacy with Christ. David is coming to terms with the evil outside and within and perhaps more importantly, coming to terms with the fidelity of God throughout. Neither sin is capable of negating the mercy of the creator. It doesn’t surprise Him. He is never shaken. He shows this failing heart to be a project made anew through redemption. We are then – though our hearts be failures – nothing short of victorious. Our victory purchased to us and we share it because of God’s selfless integrity.
It is true, your heart will fail you. It is also true that no matter it’s condition or value, it never has the final word. For your heart beats with rhythmic salvation. It sings of something outside itself which restores without restraint. Take hope in this saint, the same purpose that brought David to this revelation is yours through our son of God.
Lord, pour your mercy on us today as we live in the shadow of your redemption. Forgive us our iniquities as we look to forgive those who have wronged us. May we be extensions of your unwavering mercy.
Matt simon blog 