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“But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults” Psalm 19:12.
This verse is reminiscent of a passage from Martin Luther’s favorite psalm, Psalm 130: “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?”
In both texts, the psalmist comes before God in complete humility. The author is fully aware that one can neither comprehend one’s own sinfulness, nor God’s majesty.
Perhaps we can grasp the awe when we imagine being allowed to speak with one whom we admire. I have an image of Dorothy, the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man, all of whom were bold as bold can be…until they found themselves before the Great Oz, when they buckled in fear!
Even so, however, the psalmist engages God. Perhaps these verses invite us to be reminded of the awe-someness of God. We have the audacity to come before God. The word “audacity” comes from Latin meaning bold, rash and foolhardy! True though that might be, still the psalmist (and we) humbly-yet-audaciously come before God in prayer because we trust God.
This message is excerpted from the Bible study “Let us pray” by Anna Madsen in the July/August 2018 Gather magazine. Today we commemorate Thomas, apostle.