Has To Do With The View
Psalms 36:1 The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, There is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, That his iniquity will not be found out and be hated. 3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: He hath ceased to be wise and to do good. (ASV)
This description of the wicked heart is done with such understanding and insight. It’s almost like he is right there viewing the condition that enables transgression and actions that are so far from reasonable. It is interesting that David, in many other passages, passionately pleads for the destruction of such corrupted individuals. He has often prayed that the wicked would be utterly destroyed and crushed before his hand.
There seems to be a much different sentiment, here, however. Like a child doing and saying a bunch of nice things to the parent over and above what is normal, it’s hard to not wonder what the real motive is. More often than not, a request for something or to go somewhere is short in coming. David, after the sobering painting of the wicked heart, instead of pleading for judgment, begins to expound upon the lovingkindess of his God. The verses that follow are a passionate description of God’s mercy and love in preserving and caring for His own creation. You would think that there is a plea here for mercy, even for that person that was described as being wicked and worthy of death.
For all David’s transgressions, he obtained a first- hand view of the errant heart and the heart that was set against wisdom and the understanding of the Lord. He had certainly found himself in the position of incredible guilt so many times and in need of mercy rather than judgment. He had been in the place that most of us are in from time to time, realizing our own wrong doing and, rather than seeking punishment, beginning to expound upon the mercy and faithfulness of God. It’s in His light that we are able to see light. vs. 9
With the view of wickedness, so much is changed about desired consequences when the view includes you. What made David so precious before his God was that, instead of attempting to deny that view and run away from it, he developed a pattern of confronting that image of himself in need of a Savior and running to mercy rather than away from it. It was in glorifying God and His love that David was able to discover the freedom and fulfillment his heart so desired. Rather than becoming overwhelmed by the guilt and succumbing to the ongoing damage it would inflict, he knew how to transform his self-image by magnifying God’s. In understanding his need for his Maker and confronting the very thing that would keep him from Him, he was able to replace his own wickedness and embrace the care, compassion and forgiveness of his Heavenly Father.
There is more than sufficient power in the presence of our Father today for ongoing transformation, where our ways are exchanged for His and our life for His life. Confronting those things that are really worthy of destruction – not just in someone else, but in us – will draw us to the goodness in Him, and the repentance He enables. To deny or run away from this image will only reinforce its power, but in describing its first-hand view and then letting that view become overwhelmed by the reality of God’s praise, there will be the much desired deliverance and freedom from that way that has no hope apart from who He is in us.
Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.