Do you ever stick your foot in your mouth and say the exact wrong thing at the exact wrong time? I sure do. A lot. Like once a day. Everyday. Twice already this morning.
My prayers as of late, have been for God to make me desperate for his Word and to keep me humble. Be careful what you pray for. Desperation may come at your own expense. Humility usually comes from circumstances that we wouldn't willingly put ourselves in. As usual, God just doesn't GIVE us the characteristics we want; He gives us opportunities and experiences to LEARN how those qualities work and what they look like. I have suddenly become really desperate for God's Word, not because God miraculously answered my prayer, but because of how badly I have needed truth and guidance in the midst of my circumstances. I've suddenly become more humble, because that is the only response I could muster in the face of my own shame.
So what should our response be, when by our own actions, we manage to find ourselves greatly humbled? Or greatly shamed? Or guilty of prideful moments?
David comes to mind as a man in the Bible that struggled with this issue. A great king made from humble beginnings. Sometimes he served God with wholehearted devotion, other times he did what he wanted to do, with disastrous consequences.
From my selected reading of Psalms 38-66, here is the official translation of Amy regarding David's thoughts on what we should do when facing situations like his:
1. Recognize that guilt sucks. It was eating David alive. It was making him literally, physically sick. In my mind, that's what's called conviction. Learn to listen to it. By ignoring our built-in, spiritual, check-engine light, we only make it worse for ourselves later. See Psalm 38:4 "My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden to heavy to bear."
2. Beg God (a lot) to hear our prayers of our need for him. See Psalm 38: 21 "Lord, do not forsake me, be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior."
3. Ask for forgiveness. See Psalm 51: 10 "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
4. Now rest. Breathe. Move on. Praise. God heard you. See Psalm 66: 19-20 "But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me."
God used my sinful moment to teach me something about me. To sharpen my character. To train my mind and my tongue, and I'm really glad He did. I needed it. So, I'm going to keep praying the same prayers, and just try to tread a bit more lightly....
More to come...
