I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27: 13-14)
Today's psalms begin with an angry God who holds us accountable. We often deserve this anger. To be held fully accountable for my intentional wrongs would be tough enough. Include my unintentional wrongs and there would simply be no escape.
But instead, as we read in Psalm 103: 8-12
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger for ever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.
Still we must do our part. Our role in redemption is modest, but crucial. We must believe - the Hebrew is 'aman - we are to have faith, be confirmed, trust. We should also be strong - chazaq - courageous, firm, resolute, full of urgency. We must wait - qavah - hope, expect, wait eagerly, bind together, and collect.
This week I met a good person who - faced with many troubles - commented that this period had tested his faith and patience. I perceive that he certainly has faith and strength. But his waiting is passive, while God is better able to work with urgency and eagerness. We are to wait with an exclamation point.
Today's psalms begin with an angry God who holds us accountable. We often deserve this anger. To be held fully accountable for my intentional wrongs would be tough enough. Include my unintentional wrongs and there would simply be no escape.
But instead, as we read in Psalm 103: 8-12
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger for ever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.
Still we must do our part. Our role in redemption is modest, but crucial. We must believe - the Hebrew is 'aman - we are to have faith, be confirmed, trust. We should also be strong - chazaq - courageous, firm, resolute, full of urgency. We must wait - qavah - hope, expect, wait eagerly, bind together, and collect.
This week I met a good person who - faced with many troubles - commented that this period had tested his faith and patience. I perceive that he certainly has faith and strength. But his waiting is passive, while God is better able to work with urgency and eagerness. We are to wait with an exclamation point.
posted by Didymus | 5:58 AM
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