“Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea! Answer me because you are faithful and righteous. Don’t put your servant on trial, for no one is innocent before you” (Psalm 143:1-2 NLT).
David prayed that the Lord would not put him on trial. For he was a sinner and knew that he would not be found innocent. So, he called on the Lord’s “unfailing love” (v.8) instead of His judgment. God’s “unfailing love” or chesed as it is in the Hebrew, is His covenantal love, it never ceases, nor lets go. It is wrapped up in the character of God, which is always good and kind. David knew he didn’t stand a chance in God’s courtroom, so called on God’s covenantal love.
Yet, one innocent man chose to stand before God as one accused in our place. He is the Son of David, Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. He stood before God’s judgment seat and the Lord “laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). As a result, Christ “was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).
David’s prayer is answered. Those in Christ are not put on trial. For that would be double jeopardy. For the Lord Jesus was put on trial in our place. He stood in our place, taking our sin, separation and death upon Himself. And He offers His righteousness, Sonship, and eternal life to those who believe in Him.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You that we don’t have to appear before Your Judgment Seat. For no one could stand before You. Yet, in Christ, we are justified, made right with You. Now, help us to live as Your witnesses to a world far from You, so that sinners may be brought to salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.