August 11th - Reflection

Psalm 89:1-18 (NRSV)
God's covenant with David

I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to my servant David:
'I will establish your descendants forever,
and build your throne for all generations.'"
Selah

Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,
a God feared in the council of the holy ones,
great and awesome above all that are around him?
O Lord God of hosts,
who is as mighty as you, O Lord?
Your faithfulness surrounds you.
You rule the raging of the sea;
when its waves rise, you still them.
You crushed Rahab like a carcass;
you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;
the world and all that is in it - you have founded them.
The north and the south - you created them;
Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
You have a mighty arm;
strong is your hand, high your right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Happy are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;
they exult in your name all day long,
and extol your righteousness.
For you are the glory of their strength;
by your favor our horn is exalted.
For our shield belongs to the Lord,
our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Reflection
When you reach the depths of your sin and find in this place a Savior so loving, so compassionate, so healing in love; you can't help but to respond to forgiveness with joy.

When you reach the depths of your sin and humbly kneel before God and repent, you can't help but to respond to forgiveness with joy.

When you reach the depths of your sin and see the face of Jesus on that cross, in pain and suffering, taking on the sin you committed; you can't help but to respond to forgiveness with awe and fascination.

Why would my God take on my sin and die for me? Why would my God even care about me?

When you reach the depths of your sin, and see that sin taken on by Christ on that cross and die; you can't help but to respond with a deep love and compassion for your Savior.

When you reach the depths of your sin, and in your repentance are given new life; you can't help but to respond in joy by telling all the world what grace you have been shown.

When you reach the depths of your sin, and see Jesus face to face; you can't help but to respond in love towards your neighbor.

When you reach the depths of your sin and are forgiven, you can't help but to see God.

Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, as I begin this day, I know I will sin. Help me through this day, guide me and correct me and forgive me and show me your face. --- Amen