I began reading a new book yesterday, White as Snow by Paul David Tripp. I would like to share excerpts with you as I find them relevant. The premise of the book is simply this, "The music of grace is meant to score the life of every believer." With this in mind, Tripp delves deep into Psalm 51, "the thing that is most engaging and exciting about this psalm is that no psalm plays the notes of God's grace better."
May I share some reflections with you from this morning's read:
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions." Psalm 51:1
"It's not just your sin that separates you from God; your righteousness does as well. Because, when you are convinced you are righteous, you don't seek the forgiving, rescuing, and restoring mercy that can be found only in Jesus Christ." (22)
"The theology behind the defense is that my greatest problem is outside of me, not inside of me. In so arguing, I'm telling myself that I don't really need to be rescued by the Lord's mercy. No, I'm telling myself that what I need to be rescued from is that sinner in the room who caused me to respond as I did." (22)
May God grant us His view of sin so that we may better understand His grace, a severe mercy.
how true! to recognize ourselves as the origin of our sin, NOT others or circumstance! to see OURSELVES as the ones in need of mercy not just the drunk or beggar..you never cease to push my thoughts outside their safety net! I love you!
ReplyDeleteI am in so much agreement with this because I live it everyday. I am constantly battling the tendency to see my problems outside of myself. How kind of God to remind me that my biggest problem is Mike Simmons. May we wake up each day with a Wartime mentality, embracing the reality of our desperateness for the grace and mercy of God I love the question posed via John Piper. "Do we feel loved by God when He makes much of us or when He frees us to make much of Him?" We are only truly satisfied in Him when He is glorified through us. Standing firm...
ReplyDelete"The music of grace is meant to score the life of every believer."
ReplyDeleteThis quote resonated in my spirit...and brought me to tears. The word score in particular struck me.
I looked up meanings for the word "score" and found the following:
1. a notch, scratch, or incision
2. a mark for keeping an account or record
3. a reckoning or account so kept; tally
4. any account showing indebtedness
I know Mr. Tripp meant "score" in a musical sense. But, what came to my mind was Isaiah 53:5 "...by His stripes we are healed."
My life is "scored" with God's grace because Jesus was "scored" with God's wrath. I am debt free because Jesus Paid It All! May God's grace score me ever deeper that my life would become a symphony of praise to Him!
Thanks for this post Ben. I think this book is calling me!