May 19, No Condemnation

Today’s reading: Psalms 91-95

“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” - Psalm 94:18-19.

The psalmist made a confession that he was more than a little anxious on occasion. That anxiety did not disqualify him from God’s presence, but made God’s presence all the more important to him. What’s more, God was not offended by that most human of emotions and granted him help in his time of trouble. There are some — and I hope you are not among them — who feel like they cannot come to the Lord as they are, but rather as they think He would want them to be. God is more comfortable with your humanity than you are and knows your thoughts before you articulate them. Your honesty is not for His benefit but for yours, so when you confess your anxiety, for example, He does not condemn you, but gives you peace. Perhaps you need to be reminded of what Paul wrote: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2). Are you fearful of God’s condemnation if you are honest in His presence? What do you need to tell or confess to the Lord today? Do you see that your honesty with God is for your benefit?