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.

Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV
(5) … he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
(6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV
(8) And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

This was a completely new concept for her, the thought that someone would actually be there for her even after discovering something in her that was sure to be unacceptable. Not that this wasn’t something she had hoped for all her life, it’s just that time after time, after committing herself in relationships, she had found herself alone, abandoned once again for some undisclosed reason. It would have even been a little more bearable if they would have at least given a reason, something for her to work on in the future, but it was like she hadn’t earned even enough honor from them to get their perceptions of her needed improvements before their departure. She had just been left, time after time, alone and without explanation. How wonderful it would have been to have someone actually stay through her inconsistencies, finding something in her for which to stick around. To wonder then whether God Himself could put up with whatever had driven the others away was certainly natural and would require considerable adjustment. This promise would be her heart’s greatest comfort and her soul’s delight and inspired hope, if only she could learn to embrace it instead of the old dismay and discouragement. He would never take off and leave her even when she herself might feel unacceptable. Because of this she could have great confidence and boldness to press beyond the fear of rejection that had held her back for so long. Though anyone might leave her for whatever reason and at any time, the very God of creation would remain close by her side, ever lifting her up and supporting her through the rest of her life.

Though maybe not to this extreme, there will ever be a need for adjustment and growth in this awareness- that our God goes before us and will never forsake us even in our failures, from the greatest to the smallest. If there is ever a sense of abandonment, this is just a misperception based upon what we’ve experienced in other relationships. God is ever present to encourage and strengthen the one who will but acknowledge His presence. His promise to be near isn’t just a frivolous gesture with no intention of fulfillment. Though this may have been our experience with those we’ve contacted in this world, there is a completely new experience with God that will nurture the confidence and boldness to be victorious in every situation. He is an ever present help in time of trouble (Psalms 46:1) and this presence doesn’t require a completed list of endless contingencies. His love and mercy will cover a multitude of sins and He faithfully stands with open arms – an embrace that will lift and propel us beyond the greatest of difficulties. So what will it matter what anyone might ever say about us, or even fail to say at all on their one way trip out the door, God Himself is right here right now with friendship, counsel, wisdom, understanding, compassion, mercy, forgiveness and motivation that is always ours for the taking in His presence. All He’s needing is an open door Himself to a heart that’s continually saying, ‘yes’.

Romans 2:3-4 MKJV

(3)  And, O man, the one judging those who do such things, and practice them, do you think this, that you shall escape the judgment of God?

(4)  Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, and the forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

Once there were three sons of a king, one of which was several years older than the other two who were twins. The first born upon completing his basic education determined that he would separate himself from the restricting life of a prince and instead live in freedom and independence. He took a large portion of his inheritance and went to a foreign land where he could not be recognized or followed. Completely disregarding and despising his heritage he lived as a degenerate, wasting his money on meaningless consumption until there was none left and he was among those asking for money on the corners and sleeping under the stars. After some time in this state of deprivation, his father by chance became aware of his whereabouts and presented this information to his remaining sons who had by this time completed graduate studies and were faithfully serving in his kingdom. He told them that he needed help with preparation of an appropriate reception for their wayward brother. Each was told to outline exactly how their brother’s treatment should be and present this plan on short notice.

Before receiving his sons’ directives for their brother, though, the king went ahead and gave specific instructions to his chief assistant that documents received from each of the twins should be carried out to the smallest detail. Instead of being executed on behalf of their older brother, though, each plan would be directed towards the one who wrote it. While the wayward son had obviously violated his wishes and despised his provision and riches, the king knew that his remaining sons, while not as overtly, had erred themselves in many ways for which they had already received his mercy and forgiveness. Prestige, honor and authority would be theirs as royalty, but the greatest lesson for them to learn would be mercy, that the measure to which they could apply mercy and forgiveness would be the measure to which they would receive it in their own times of failure. Though they had remained within their father’s favor, never having turned their back on him, to negatively judge their brother at this time would be the same as despising the forgiveness and mercy that had been extended towards them in their own shortcomings. Whether a welcome party or a rejection with punishment, whatever their plans for their brother would prove to be their own experience.

There is not one of us that by our own virtue and moral perfection are deserving of anything less than complete destruction. However, it is so wonderful to experience the incredible presence of the Lord and to know His favor and provision in countless areas of our lives. This close proximity to Him, though, is due alone to the mercy and grace of his goodness. If we’ve turned our back on any sinful activity it has only been that His incredible long-suffering has made this possible. He has been faithful to see us in Christ, though our behavior might have often stated otherwise. Now, to administer judgment on anyone that is in need of the same mercy we’ve received would be the same as despising the great treasure that’s been gifted to us at the cross. An embrace of our Father’s free gift of righteousness in Christ will have its greatest evidence in the display of mercy and forgiveness given rather than just received. The more this gift is treasured the more it will be extended towards so many others in need of it themselves. For that brother that may have turned his back on his inheritance in Christ there will ever be a place of reception, honor, love and mercy in the heart and life of the one who has truly valued their own undeserved place by the Father.