Egham Boiler Room

I’m reading a great book by Eugene Peterson, The Jesus Way. Peterson is a wordsmith and in his usual poetic style explores what following Jesus looks like by studying a number of characters in the old testament.

I’ve just finished reading his chapter on David. One of the key themes is looking at imperfection. The fact that we live imperfect lives. So often we try to counter imperfection with perfectionism. The idea that we should strive to be perfect. Peterson using the life of David suggests that this isn’t the solution. He points out the high points of David’s life and the low points of David’s life and talks about how this looks in the Christian life.

One of the most interesting things about David is that alongside these accounts of his life, there is also a record of his inner-life through the psalms. Through looking at the psalms, particularly the penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) Peterson explores a different response.

Psalm 32 particularly shows the problem of unacknowledged sin. When we fail to admit sin it eats away at us. Vs 3 and 4….

When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long. For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.

And what is the solutions? Vs 5

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD “—
and you forgave
the guilt of my sin.

The solution is to choose to deal with God. God’s forgiveness is the only answer to sin. Peterson points out that if we choose not to go to God then we end up trying to deal with sin through punishment, education, moral strategy or denial. The answer isn’t resolve; “that’s the last time, I won’t do it again”. We need to confess, we need God’s forgiveness. I’ve realised that I need to get into a better ‘habit’ of confession and receiving forgiveness. I need to learn this response, confession, not the resolve and relying on myself.

Talking about psalm 38 Peterson tells us:

The Psalmist certainly takes the responsibility for the personal consequences of his or her sin.  But the social dimensions are also very much involved: no illusions that if I just get “right with God” everything is going to be fine, no fantasies that if I can just convert or conquer and so get rid of my detractors I will be home and free.  God is the one with whom I must deal.  My inside world is not, nor will it ever be perfect.  The outside world is not, nor will it ever be perfect.  In all matters of sin, my business, first and foremost, is God: “make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation” (v.22).

I am unable to totally deal with my sin.  I’m unable to be perfect, therefore I have to rely more heavily on the Lord.  I have to put friends around me who will remind me to confess my sin and receive God’s forgiveness.