Who Can Stand?

"If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" - Psalm 130:3

Going along with my post on Romans 3, as well as Travis' from Stepping In Faith and Pat's Ponderings, this verse speaks to the need for JUSTIFICATION. Travis and Pat both have been discussing the beauty of the doctrine over at their blogs, and have some wonderful meditations on the subject.

The profunditity of Psalm 130:3 is hard to express in mere words. It speaks to the heart of every man's sin. "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" And as awesome as that question is, its answer is just as awe inspiring. NO MAN COULD STAND, NO NOT ONE. Wow. When that truth is entered into the heart of man, he can't help but cry out for a Savior. No wonder the feet of those the bring the Gospel of Christ are "BEAUTIFUL". Well, Glory to God, those feet are bring good news.

And then the psalmist continues in verse 4, "But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." Wow again! How awesome is God's Word? In two verses, a rolling tide of glorious news is poured forth from the Heavens - if man's sin is marked, he is without hope; - but there is FORGIVENESS so that GOD MAY BE FEARED. And that last part is important. God grants forgiveness why? Well we know, that at the bottom of it all, He does it for his Glory - to bring Glory to the Father through the Son. But he grants forgiveness for another reason:

So that He may be feared.

Psalm 89:7
"God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him."

Ecclesiastes 12:13
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

Psalm 111:10
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever."

Fear God, and Serve the King,
Brother Hank