SWHW Bible Reading Plan: September 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Michelle Myers:

We (and all gospel-centered organizations!) talk often about how everything we do is for the glory of God and the good of others. That phrase flows easily off the tongue, but it's much more difficult to put into practice and even more challenging to believe with your whole heart.

Psalm 79 was written after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem (See 2 Kings 25 if you have time to dig deeper!) Rightfully so, the Israelites were devastated. Probably even angry. But you'll see here, even in the midst of suffering, the psalmist reminds us of what does remain: God can be trusted and He can always make a way. 

I love the truth and humility in Psalm 79:9 that we can all take to heart:

"Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; 

And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name's sake." 

- Psalm 79:9

I love the repetition:

Help us.... for the glory of Your name.

Deliver us... for Your name's sake.

But this is the one that really jumped out at me:

Forgive our sins... for Your name's sake.

Oof. True, it's a lot more fun to think about God getting glory when He helps us, rescues us, or makes a way for us. And while the Israelites absolutely needed God to intervene on their behalf after the invasion of the Babylonians, the psalmist took the opportunity to recognize the greatest way God displays His infinite power that's all too easy for us to take for granted: He forgives our sins. 

How often do you give thought, let alone prayer, asking God to forgive your sins for the glory of His name vs. just your own forgiveness?

Same. Not often enough, that's for sure. 

And if we let our flesh grab hold of our feelings, we'll even start to whine about how God isn't "delivering" or "helping" us, while forgetting forgiveness of our sins goes beyond just mercy and extends to greater grace than we'll ever comprehend. And although they are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between mercy and grace.

Mercy is being shown compassion when someone has the power to punish you. And that's incredible on its own.  But grace goes even further. Grace isn't asked for or deserved. It's unmerited favor that you're freely given. 

And the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus is both. God doesn't only spare us from hell, but through belief in Christ, He gives us heaven. We are no longer slaves, but He adopts us as His sons and daughters. 

Let me be as honest as I can: our flesh can even make God's glory about our own perceived self-importance. But the reality of it is: whether God helps or delivers how we think He should, in the timeline we desire, the forgiveness of sins is an unbelievable, unmatched, and unforgettable display of His glory, and we don't need to forget it.

Join me, and let's pray to ask God to put His glory on display through forgiving our sins:

God, we cannot fathom the grace You give us, but Lord, we are so grateful for it. Let us truly put Your glory at the forefront of our minds. Remove our fleshly bend to see our own importance. Help us and deliver us as You see fit, and despite whatever else happens to us on earth, keep us in awe that You forgive our sins and make a way for us to be Yours. We love You, and we praise You. Amen.