April 7th - Reflection

Reading
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (NRSV)
On this day God has acted

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say,
"His steadfast love endures forever." .

The Lord is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.

There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
"The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
the right hand of the Lord is exalted;
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly."
I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not give me over to death.

Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.

This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.

I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord's doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Reflection
But he did not give me over to death. This phrase struck a cord for me. I deserve death for my sin. I deserve death...but he did not give me over to death. Instead he hung from a cross and wore my sin and took that death on for me...he did not give me over to death...but was put to death for me.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. That act alone does it all...that act alone brings the joy from myself also that is an everlasting joy. I shall not die but I shall live. And live for him I will. Live for him in joy, service and happiness now and forever.

For on the third day Christ has risen! He has risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

But he did not give me over to death...Thanks be to God!

Prayer
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. --- Amen