Cry Out To The Lord
Daily Old Testament Reading: Psalm 20, 65-66
Daily Focus Passage: Psalm 65
Sin plagues all of humanity. You and I still combat the temptation to fulfill the desires of the flesh and forsake the ways of the Lord. We struggle against the draw to participate in and accept activities and things that oppose the ways of the Lord. As a result, we experience moments of suffering and pain because of our sinful naturNotnot all suffering occurs because of sin, but sin carries various consequences. In Psalm 65, the people face punishment for their sinful nature before the Lord. This Psalm reveals their response, action, and the Lord's faithfulness to their plea.
THE PEOPLE'S RESPONSE
The response of the people flowed from their recognition of sin. The people faced difficulty because they disobeyed the Lord. The suffering brought the people to recognize their sins before the Lord. The moment of awareness occurs when we view ourselves in the presence of the holiness of God. In God's holiness, we stand as filthy rags. As the people of Israel recognized their condition, they lamented their sin and were moved to seek forgiveness. Likewise, when sin becomes known in our lives, we need to sense the need to lament our sin before the Lord and be motivated to seek forgiveness and reconciliation from the Lord.
THE PEOPLE'S ACTION
The people did not remain mournful and became defeated to the place of inaction. Instead, the people allowed their mourning to move them to the place of confessing their sins before the Lord and seeking forgiveness from the Lord. The act of confession meant the people moved from recognizing their sin to the place of owning their guilt. This ownership of their condition allowed the people to ask the Lord for forgiveness. The needed forgiveness is a request for the Lord to extend his mercy and grace to his people. The same action must occur today. When we recognize our sin, we must take ownership of it and seek forgiveness from the Lord.
THE LORD'S FAITHFUL RESPONSE
The Lord responded to the people's cries because of his love and faithfulness to his promise. The Lord responds as a welcoming host that welcomes people into his home though sinners do not deserve it. This welcoming extends because of the grace and mercy of the Lord. In mercy, the Lord offers forgiveness by removing the deserved punishment of sin. In grace, the Lord offers forgiveness by offering entrance that is not earned. By welcoming sinners into his presence, the Lord offers reconciliation.
The Lord offered forgiveness through grace and mercy to the people of Israel. Likewise, the Lord responds today to the sinner who cries out to him. He is faithful to his promise and extends forgiveness in his mercy and grace. He offers entrance into his home to those who do not deserve it but respond to him appropriately in faith. As we journey, we must hold onto this promise that the Lord offers us forgiveness and entrance.
