Psalm 19:7-14

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple… But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.” vss. 7, 12

The psalmist loved the law and believed that its decrees and precepts were exactly the guide that was needed in this broken world. If people were obedient to all of its precepts life would be perfect, and humans could enjoy the bounty of creation and live together in harmony. He was right, of course, life is always better when everyone plays by the rules. The problem is that the law, while being very good, was also flawed, and could only expose sin, and was incapable of healing it. Humans are enormously complex, and, as the psalmist noted, are capable of hiding their faults even from themselves. And this is where the problem is. Even when on the outside things appear to be going very well, on the inside there can be a tangle of contradictory and embarrassing thoughts undermining our serenity. Our minds take us places that we never imagined going, and we’d die if those secret journeys ever became public knowledge. And here the law provides no help–all it can do is increase our feeling of guilt. And we don’t need more commandments. We need steadfast love and mercy and the restoration of our broken hearts. And that’s what we get in Jesus!

Thought for the Day: What are my hidden faults?