The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
No doubt about it. The Law of the Lord is perfect. It’s the key to a long and blissful life, and even those who don’t believe in its supernatural origin are blessed by obedience to its tenets. Now if we could just keep the law well enough to earn our place in God’s family. Problem is, our sin nature is so pervasive, we don’t even know how often we’re breaking it.
“Who can discern his errors?” David asked. Who is honest enough, objective enough, observant enough to note his every sin? No one. That’s why David asked the Lord to forgive his hidden faults, those sins he wasn’t even aware of committing. And who has the strength of character, the patience, the presence of mind to keep himself from ever committing a willful sin? Again, no one. That’s why David asked for the Lord’s help in preventing him from consciously sinning.
So if the Lord forgives the sins we’re unaware of, and prevents us from committing the ones we are aware of, then we’ll be innocent of transgression. Sounds like He’s got the bigger part of the job.
But He went us one better. Knowing we can’t keep from sinning no matter how much help we get, He gave His life for us, in advance, so we could be assured of His forgiveness. He did this without condition and without hesitation. We need only ask and we’ll receive it. Any time, every time, all the time. For if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
So keep the Law as best as you can because it was never repealed. Not because you need to earn your way with Him, but because “in keeping it there is great reward.” And always remember this. On those occasions when you can’t seem to get it right, He’s got you covered. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14) I underlined the word “all’ in my Bible.