His Grace under pressure

 

Just as in Psalm 25, David recognizes in Psalm 31 that in part, his own sin was behind the crisis he was in. He says in this psalm that it's God's grace that will help us when we are under pressure, and we realize that some of it is our own fault! God's grace provides us with refuge and with forgiveness.

God will forgive our sin if we confess and forsake it:

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
    but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9, NIV)

The Bible tells us that He will forgive us, but we need to remember that He doesn't always remove the consequences.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. (Galatians 6:7-8, NASB)

It's sweet for us when we realize the promises of God; He affirms in His Word that He will forgive a repentant sinner. We can run to Him for refuge.

And here is something big that we need to remember - long after we finish studying this psalm. David's enemies were still condemning him long after God had forgiven him. Does this sound like what happens today? It's unfortunate, but true. In David's case, they were talking against him and making his name a reproach. They were ashamed to be seen with him; they would turn and go in the other direction! There are five different verses here that show their attitude of unforgiveness and judgment. But David's enemies didn't know how sincerely David had repented - and they'd forgotten (or were not paying attention to) the magnitude of God's awesome grace.

 so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)

and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. (I Timothy 1:14)

Boundless.

More than abundant.

The reason the NASB and others translate that "more than abundant" is because Paul uses a word with a prefix "huper" which intensifies the word abundant. It makes it "super abundant" or "exceedingly abundant." I can't think of a better way to describe God's loving grace, can you? So, while we must never condone sin, we need to be careful not to condemn those who are repentant. It's up to us to remember that God is gracious - through Jesus' blood He forgives all of OUR sins, so we need to encourage repentant sinners who may still be suffering the consequences of their poor deeds and attitudes . . . .we need to encourage them by reminding them that they can take refuge in God's grace in our times of pressure.

This brings to mind another important point: God will never allow us to endure more stress than we can bear if we trust in Him. David's trials were absolutely terrifying. He even despaired of life itself (see verse thirteen). But God gave him the strength he needed, so that he could endure.

And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. (I Corinthians 10:13b)

God knows what is best for each one of us. And He is not into easy solutions. No get-out-of-jail-free cards here. He doesn't usually remove the trial the instant that we turn to Him. But at the same time, no one who has waited on Him has found Him to fail. He is gentle and kind, and He gives us more grace when the trials grow harder . . .

There's a precious old hymn that tells us:

1. He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
   He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
   To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
   To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
2. When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
   When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
   When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
   Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
3. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
   Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
   Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
   The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
4. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
   His power no boundary known unto men;
   For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
   He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

It's only when we trust Him in the midst of severe pressure that we can truly experience His faithfulness in our own lives. And let's be honest -- sometimes it's the waiting for God that is the most difficult thing. Am I right? We sometimes wriggle and get resentful when it's weeks or months before God answers. Yes, some of us have waited years; some of us are still waiting. At least we are not languishing in an Egyptian prison with our feet shackled in iron chains, right? You know who I'm talking about . . . Joseph obeyed God and resisted the temptation provided by Potiphar's wife. We know the outcome, that's true, but for years Joseph didn't know if he would ever be released. But because he trusted in God, he later said to his brothers, "You meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good." (Genesis 50:20)

It's true that stress is a fact of life. Pressure is a fact of life. We don't get a free pass. But there is hope. There is provision from God. And there's even a "pressure relief valve," like the regulator on that old pressure cooker; it can help keep the pressure at safe levels.

More about that next week.