“Stonie Hearts Will Bleed”
But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. —Psalm 130:4
The poet speaks out of a deep depression in which self-help was of no help at all. His depression was not caused by persecution, sickness, or homesickness, as it was on so many other occasions, but by guilt—that gut-wrenching sensation that we have gone wrong.
But “with God there is forgiveness,” a release from the anxiety and guilt that produces “fear”—not servile fear, but the fear of wronging the God who loves us and so freely and quickly forgives us. It is the Lord himself for whom the writer longs: “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope” (Psalm 130:5)—“his word,” that word of assurance that all is well: “Your sins are forgiven… Go in peace” (Luke 7:48).
Forgiveness is immediate, but in human frailty our assurance of that forgiveness may be delayed. The poet waits as a night watchman waits for the morning, a hope that will not disappoint him, for though the darkness may seem endless, day-break is at hand.
Once again the experience of the one (the poet) can become the experience of the many:
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities (130:7).
It is not God’s wrath, but his love that warms and wins our hearts. “It is the goodness of God” that draws us to repentance (Romans 2:4).
Though I fail, I weep:
Though I halt in place,
Yet I creep
To the throne of grace.
Then let wrath remove;
Love will do the deed:
For with love
Stonie hearts will bleed. —George Herbert
David Roper
8.19.20
1 comment:
Much as I usually love Herbert's turn of phrase, I rather balk at the 'creeping' image. I'm with Charles Wesley in his reflection of
Romans and Hebrews: "No condemnation now I dread" and "Bold, I approach the eternal throne". Did Christ die in vain that we shoukd continue to wallow in unworthiness? 'By no means' as Paul might say! As God's beautiful, worthy, purchased daughter I fly into His arms to receive mercy and help in time of need. I know it's hard to forgive ourselves for our many failings, but forgive we must - and get on with it. Sorry, George, I usually float in your words, but not today!
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