“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” Psalm 16:3, ESV
In the passage above, David revealed his love for his kinsmen. They were God’s people, which made them majestic and noble. That’s high praise for people who weren’t perfect. David’s fellow-Israelites made their share of mistakes. They had their flaws. They committed their sins. Yet, inspired of the Holy Spirit, David called them “excellent” – warts, blemishes, and all.
Does David’s complimentary language imply approval of sin? Hardly. Every adult who has ever received proper commendation, even commendation directly from God, has received it in spite of his or her sins (except Jesus, of course, who was sinless). David’s assessment of God’s people was a general statement intended to highlight their exalted status as God’s chosen ones.
God still has an exalted opinion of his people today, even though we are far from perfect. Christians are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Pet. 2:9). “But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love” (Psa. 147:11). God loves us so much that he calls us his children (1 John 3:1). Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters (Heb. 2:11).
But doesn’t God know we have weaknesses and flaws? Yes. Doesn’t he know that we mess up from time to time and sin? Yes. Doesn’t he know that we can’t be perfect no matter how hard we try? Yes. God doesn’t love perfect people only. He loves YOU (1 John 4:8, 19). He chose YOU (Eph. 1:4). He honored YOU (Heb. 2:6-8).
Doesn’t that make you want to serve him with all your heart?