2 Samuel 22:26-27 “To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.”

There has always been a degree of truth to the accusation by atheists that people of faith create God in their image, and that is that we tend to perceive Him as being like we are. I think this is what David is speaking to here. It’s not that God is devious, but rather that He sees the end from the beginning, as well as everything connected and involved, which is so far beyond our capacity that, if we’re expecting trickery, that’s what we perceive. Actually, we are generally quick to see in other people traits we have ourselves. It is often a red flag when someone seems obsessed with a particular sin in others: they quite likely are hiding that same sin in their own heart, even if they aren’t practicing it actively. The same may be said of good traits, and that is what David is saying here. The Japanese says “gracious” where the NIV says “faithful,” but the principle is the same either way. Actually, the more we let God clean us up, the better we are able to see and appreciate His purity and holiness. When we exercise the faith we have been given, the better we understand that He is absolutely faithful and reliable.

This is a major part of the truth in the Gaither song, “The Longer I Serve Him, the Sweeter He Grows.” Now that I am approaching 60 years since my baptism, I can certainly sing that song with conviction! I was greatly blessed to have a fairly accurate conception of God from the outset, but my appreciation of Him has only grown over the years. At the same time, I am constantly dealing with people who have a very distorted image of Him at best, and that’s where the challenge comes in. By God’s grace, wisdom, and love, I need to teach others what He is like, helping them open their eyes and lift them to Him. I can’t impart a revelation of God to anyone, but I can be His instrument to that purpose. I need to be careful that nothing about me gets in the way of their seeing Him accurately. I am seen as a “man of God,” and by God’s grace I must strive to let the picture of Him that I portray be as accurate as possible.

Father, Your goodness and faithfulness are beyond expressing in words. Help me be a demonstration of who You are to everyone, from the man who is in what may be his last hospitalization to the little child in arms, so that as many as possible may open their hearts to You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!