READ Psalm 109:16–20. 16 For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted. 17 He loved to pronounce a curse—may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing—may it be far from him. 18 He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil. 19 May it be like a cloak wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him. 20 May this be the LORD’s payment to my accusers, to those who speak evil of me.
SINS OF OMISSION. This description makes David’s anger at his enemies more understandable. It also shows the justness of his prayer. David recognizes sin’s recoil effect. God’s judgment often works through natural consequences in which, over the long run, people receive back what they planned or chose for others (verses 17–19). This helps David and us leave vengeance in God’s hands. The description also should convict and help us avoid the sin of self-congratulation. When we look at those doing sins of commission, like cursing and abusing people verbally (verse 17), we may feel pretty self-righteous if we don’t do the same things. But the failure to think of doing a kindness (verse 16) is a sin of omission, one of which we are all guilty (James 4:17).
Prayer: Lord, I confess that so many of my sins are failures to serve and love people because I am too wrapped up in myself to think or notice their needs. O Lord, save me from sinful obliviousness. Amen.