It is a remarkable phenomenon of our fallen nature, that we often cherish the very things that crush us. When I say “cherish,” what I mean is making things or people the greatest object of our desire—what dominates our thoughts and our life. For example, many years ago I remember being so completely besotted with a man that nearly everything I did was designed to earn his love. I dreamed about him, woke up thinking about him, constantly wanted to be near him, etc. For a while we were close—but ultimately, it became apparent that he cared very little for me. His rejection crushed me. Another example: I was so intent on winning a case because it was a just cause and it became nearly all I thought about. It was what woke me up at night; it took the preeminent place in my thoughts; it worried me, and caused me fear. Then, when I lost (because justice isn’t always done by imperfect humans)—my anger and disappointment tore me up.
I was “cherishing” these things more than I desired the presence of God. My friend, no matter how good or right the object of our greatest passion seems to be—if it takes preeminence over our passion for God—it is ALWAYS a disappointing experience. Even if we get the man or win the case—the level of satisfaction—eventually declines. We ALWAYS find ourselves looking for more.
Just like we were not designed to breathe underwater—we were also not created to cherish anything more than God.
There is nothing on this earth that can bear the weight of our deepest desires. Nothing satisfy us like God. The fact is—to passionately pursue anything more than we pursue God—is sin. The first and greatest commandment (in both the Old Testament and the New Testament) is to love God more than anything else. To disobey this commandment is sin.
Quite simply put—sin will always crush us.
We were created in the image of God, to walk in the freedom of righteousness—not to live under the crushing slavery of sin. Of the misery of his sin, King David wrote:
“There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness. I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.”
Psalms 38:3-6
While we don’t know the exact circumstances surrounding David’s suffering in this passage, we DO know that for over a year of his life he chose to pursue an unholy relationship with Bathsheba which ended in murdering her husband and the death of David’s child. He chose his passion for her over his relationship with God. His cherished sin eventually crushed Him. But David repented. He wrote:
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.”
Psalms 32:1-2, 5-8,10
What a vivid contrast between Psalm 38 and Psalm 32 showing–the intense strain of sin and—the joyful freedom of repentance and renewal of our walk with God!
As was in David’s experience with Bathsheba, sin typically begins subtly. It may be a fleeting thought, an image, (like a beautiful woman) or a few whispered words. If we dwell on it, it WILL beguile us, wrap its smooth chains around us and—it WILL eventually enslave us. The most sneaky sins are the ones we don’t think of as “big” sins like worry, pride, unhealthy fear, excessive pleasure, or anything that makes us think we can live independently from God. Unless we immediately repent and confess our sin to God and, indeed—train our brain to HATE it—it will continue to burden us, grieve us, and separate us from the freedom of living in the great knowledge of God’s grace.
God didn’t free us from sin so we could go back to living like slaves!
“[O]ur old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.”
Romans 6:6-7 When we repent and return to God, we are replacing the misery of sin—with the joy of God’s glorious presence. It’s the ultimate trade off! God doesn’t live crushed by the burden of sin and when we’re living with HIM–we don’t either!
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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