Scripture

Psalm 5:4-5 (NLT)

O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked. Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil.

Consider

In this prayer for the morning, David reflects on a classic theme found among the wisdom writings of the Old Testament; that is, there is a strong demarcation between the godly and the wicked of the world, between the righteous whom God loves and their lying enemies whom God abhors.

If we are honest, however, we must admit that this line of demarcation is not as clear as David describes. We ourselves regularly appear on both sides of the righteousness issue: faithful and then unfaithful, truthful and then covering ourselves with a protective veil of deceit.

Who among the righteous, for example, could never identify with the wicked as David goes on to describe them in verse 9: My enemies cannot speak a truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with flattery.

His description sounds dramatic, yet we know from experience that gossip and slander are indeed damaging to hearts and deadly to relationships. Hollow praise sows mistrust and can derail good works. Jesus tells his disciples that the desire to sin against others is just as harmful as acting on that desire because sinful intentions foul our minds and hearts.

Consequently, who among us does not deserve the punishment David asks for in verse 10: O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they have rebelled against you. David calls on God to punish the wicked by their own deeds and by banishing them from God’s holy presence. For the righteous, however, he asks a blessing: But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy (verse 11).

Fortunately, God does not accept or reject us based on our ability to achieve perfection but on whether we love his name and take refuge in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The line of demarcation David describes runs right through each of us. The line casts us as creatures of both light and darkness, who can desire to do good as well as to sin, and who follow God for a time but then stray into selfish and hurtful ways.

The Good News of Jesus is that his atoning sacrifice covers our whole being, leaving no part of us unredeemed and unfit for God’s holy presence. Not only are we saved for eternal life but we also receive the Holy Spirit, who works tirelessly to refine us and shrink the power of darkness and sin over our deeds and desires.

Pray

FATHER, I indulge in the comforting notion that there is a strong difference between me and the wicked of the world. Teach me the folly of elevating myself to a status of righteousness I do not deserve without the grace of Jesus. Show me the line of demarcation running through my life and help me to live more and more in your light and truth.

Reflect

Matthew 5:27-30;  1 John 1:5-7

Ponder

In what area(s) of your life are you most tempted to cross the line from light into dark?