Psalm 32:1,2
The fruit of a tree may be delicious, and the flower of a vine may have exquisite beauty. But remember that the tree brought forth that fruit and the vine made that flower possible. And when it comes to our salvation, we may say that it is blessed to be freed from the curse and to have glory in the new Jerusalem. But keep clearly before your mind the fact that we must first have the blessings of forgiveness of our sins and of receiving a new, sinless life. Without these we will not receive a curse-free life, nor will we be able to enjoy it.
David teaches us this when he writes in Psalm 32:1,2 , "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile." Being without guile means being without deceit. It means that one has been born again with a life that loves God. That state of righteousness is the legal basis for the blessing of enjoying heavenly glory. But the only way that we can enjoy it is that our spiritual condition is changed. Instead of being totally depraved sinners who hate God, we must be given a life that finds delight in serving God before His face. A fish in polluted water that is hot, many degrees above comfort for it, does not want to be on the dry land. Much less does one with a spirit of guile want to live with God, even though here below he has pains that are unbearable.
The psalmist says in Psalm 17:15 , "I shall be satisfied. when I awake, with Thy likeness." But our guilt will have to be removed and our souls must be given love for God in order to get that joy. Commit to memory and sing then these words of David as versified in our Psalter:
How blest is he whose trespass
Hath freely been forgiven,
Whose sin is wholly covered
Before the sight of heaven.
Blest he to whom Jehovah
Imputeth not his sin,
Who hath a guileless spirit,
Whose heart is true within.
Read: Psalm 32
Psalter versification: #83:1
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter #276
Why not sing along??
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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
2 Chronicles 17 ; 2 Chronicles 18:1-34
Romans 9:25-33 ; Romans 10:1-13
Psalm 20:1-9
Proverbs 20:2-3
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Quote for Reflection:
"Grant, Almighty God, since our own station in life has been assigned to us, that we may be content with our lot, and when thou doest humble us, may we willingly be subject to Thee, and suffer ourselves to be ruled by Thee, and not desire any exaltation, which may lead us down to destruction. Grant us also, to conduct ourselves so modestly in our various callings, that Thou mayest always shine forth in us. May nothing else be set before us than to assist our brethren to whom we are attached, as in Thy sight; and thus glorify Thy Name among all men, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." -- Prayer of John Calvin
Additional Info
- Date: 26-July
Heys, John A.
Rev. John A. Heys was born on March 16, 1910 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained and installed into the ministry at Hope, Walker, MI in 1941. He later served at Hull, Iowa beginning in 1955. In 1959 he accepted the call to serve the South Holland, IL Protestant Reformed Church. He received and accepted the call to Holland, Michigan Protestant Reformed Church in 1967. He retired from the active ministry in 1980. He entered into glory on February 16, 1998.