While there should be a noticeable difference between the lives of a believer and an unbeliever, there should never be a self-righteous heart that begins to take root.
It could possibly be easy for some to look at the life another and begin to think that it is their somewhat better life that makes them acceptable in God’s sight. Staying humble comes with its challenges. Comparing and contrasting takes place every day in a vast number of relationships.
Who has more money? Who has a better car? Who knows more Scripture? Who has a higher degree? Who appears more holy and as though he has his life together?
On and on the list goes of ways that people compare themselves with others. The temptations run high to be seen as better than the next man. After all, the first sin ever committed by both Satan and man was rooted in pride.
Elevating oneself above another is so common that it will be that same thing that will bring about Satan’s demise as he rises up against the Lord in the battle of Armageddon. It is what led to his initial descent and is what will bring about his ultimate destruction.
Pride is underneath every sin and in the heart of every man. The Christian must fight to look at himself through the lens of Scripture and escape the snare of comparative thoughts.
A great example has been laid for the Christian in the life of David. Psalm 5:4-8 tells of a man who knew his place before God.
Wickedness not found in the kingdom
First, David tells of God’s thoughts concerning wickedness. He says, “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness…” (Ps. 5:4). God does not delight in wickedness. Rather, He is displeased with it.
Wickedness is characterized by the terms “worthless fellows” or “ungodly men” in the Scriptures. It is also used in the Scripture as a synonym of death. In addition, it can involve people that lead others astray.
Wickedness is not found in God’s kingdom, but rather God turns away the wicked. Wickedness is a mark of darkness rather than the light.
Evil not found in the kingdom
Second, David assures his heart that evil has no place in the kingdom of God. He says, “…Neither shall evil dwell with thee” (Ps. 5:4). In this verse, it is as though God and evil simply do not mix. They cannot cohabitate together. It is an impossibility for God to dwell with evil.
When David uses the word “dwell,” what he is saying is that evil will not sit with or abide with God. He is saying that evil will not remain in God’s presence. In Genesis 4:16, after Cain killed Abel, Cain was made to leave his land.
He went to “dwell” in another land. In this, what is depicted is Cain going from one location to another to live and/or settle in that particular region. David says that evil will never settle in or live in God’s holy presence.
Foolishness is not found in the kingdom
Third, David continues to highlight various areas of sin when he tells of the foolish not being found in the kingdom. He says, “The foolish shall not stand in thy sight…” (Ps. 5:5). What a claim: The foolish will not even be able to stand in God’s presence.
When David uses the word foolish, what he is depicting is stupidity. He is telling of one whose life is marked by a despising of wisdom and instruction. The Proverbs are replete with references to the foolish person.
It seems as though he is contrasted with the wise. Therefore, since the wise apply knowledge, the foolish are those who know the truth but do not heed to what is being said.
Iniquity is not found in the kingdom
Fourth, David informs us that there will be absolutely no iniquity found in the kingdom of God. Scripture says, “…Thou hatest all workers of iniquity” (Ps. 5:5). David uses strong language in this psalm to describe God’s thoughts concerning iniquity.
When David speaks of iniquity, he is speaking of a man who deviates from the path. This word speaks of a bending or a turning away from God’s direction.
Liars not found in the kingdom
Finally, David highlights a particular sin by speaking out against those who tell lies. He says, “Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: The Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man” (Ps. 5:6).
David was a man who was familiar with people seeking to come against him. In the midst of all that he was going through, there must have been a myriad of lies that were swirling in the kingdom as a result.
Those who wanted to mount a revolt against David would have had to tell lies in order to gain a following. Those that eventually followed would have had to believe the lies and then in turn would have most likely told them themselves. Lies were prevalent during the life of David, and in this psalm, he speaks out against them and God’s disposition toward those who tells lies.
Mercy is found in the kingdom
After all of this, after all the sin, wickedness, darkness, evil, and corruption that David was seeing, he encounters a “but” moment in his heart. The church is privileged enough to read the words of a humble man of God.
David does not say after all this, “But You will accept me because of my righteousness.” David does not say, “But I will be with You because I am better than these people.” He does not say, “But I have not done what these people have done.”
David says this: “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy. And in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple” (Ps. 5:7).
He still recognized in his own heart that he would only be accepted by God based upon God’s mercy alone. David did not seek to tout his own personal righteousness; rather, he saw his depraved state before God. He knew he needed the mercy of God.
As this Scripture continues, we see that this recognition led David to approaching God in fear. He was a sinner who was coming before God, and he knew it.
Yes, there were some ways in which David was a good man, but it could never be enough to appease a holy and righteous God, Whose ways are infinitely perfect. David approached God in fear because he knew he needed mercy.
He then looks to this God Who does not allow evil in His midst and cries out for help: “Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face” (Ps. 5:8). David looks to God and pleads that he would be more like God. “Lead me in your righteousness,” he says. “Make thy way straight before me,” he cries.
David longed to be like his God. David saw the sin in the world, but he knew in his heart of hearts that he was not much different than those around him.
Yes, he was little cleaned up, but he was far from clean in and of himself. The only way he would enter through the gates of heaven is with a key that had the inscription “mercy.”
David approached God with fear and trembling as a result. He would never be perfect this side of heaven, but, oh, how he longed to be. He never ceased to plead for growth, and he relished the day that he would be like his God.
He was not overly concerned with the sins of others but hated and despised his own sin more than anything. He did not want other people and their flaws before his eyes, as though that was his focus, but rather he wanted to see God’s ways always before his face.
“Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness… make thy way straight before my face.”
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the ways that You have revealed Your mercy to me. Help me to remember each day that I am a person who needs Your mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen