On several occasions in my life I strongly identified with the sentiments expressed in verses 14-15. This happened when I had tried to do the right thing and failed. Not only were my desires not fulfilled, but it seemed those in the world who cared nothing for God were succeeding, leaving me behind. I fell into hopelessness and a general sense of futility – "Walking in holiness is a waste of time; God doesn't seem to care or help; why bother?"
I was trying to be "worthy" of God's salvation and blessing. I demanded that God help me be sinless so I can "earn" my redemption, and I was expecting him to "anoint" my work because I was being "good." But I was wrong. Holiness is not sinless-ness and no one is truly good or can earn their salvation. Further, God's anointing is his prerogative, reserved for HIS work.
There are non-believers who are better, more ethical, more humanly loving, and more moral than I am. However, their "righteousness" cannot save, just as abstinence from sin cannot produce eternal life. Rather, God is seeking repentance and a broken humility, people in a desperate state of "holding onto him" (even if just barely). The only way to be saved is to cling to the Lord and to rely on his strength. And it is along this path that he blesses us. So those who fear the Lord are those who are willing to face failure after failure, disappointment after disappointment and still trust God's goodness. They do this because they don't trust their own strength and they know that there is no other way.
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (Psalm 51:17) (ESV)
"But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spiritand trembles at my word." (Isaiah 66:2) (ESV)
- 17 NOVEMBER -