Old Testament reading: Psalm 130-136
Thank the Lord for His forgiveness. This is the message of Psalm 130. I love the Psalmist’s statement, “If you, O Lord, should mark (take note or keep a record of) iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (v 3). Indeed! When God forgives, He forgives in the absolute. All records of sin are completely expunged. This is the attitude of forgiveness for which we should strive. While it may be physically impossible for us to remove the memory of sin or some transgression against us, once the matter has been forgiven, no mention of it should ever again be made. Husbands and wives sometimes have a difficult time with this, but consider the words of Psalmist, “Who can stand?” If I cannot trust someone to “forgive and forget,” I shall never be able to stand before them again, lest the sword of former sins be wielded against me again… and again…
New Testament reading: Romans 1-3
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18). It is not unusual for us to speak of the natural blessings of God. That is, we understand that doing things God’s way brings naturally good results. This is true even among those in the world. For example, when children are born into a home with both parents, there are blessings associated with that home (e.g., the child is far less likely to live in poverty, commit a crime, etc). But too often, we forget the converse is also true. In so doing we fail to consider the natural wrath of God. When children are conceived or born into circumstances outside of God’s plan, bad things are more likely to result. Nearly sixty million American children murdered in the womb since 1973 testify to this truth. High crime rates in communities where 70% of children are born out of wedlock speak volumes to the natural wrath of God. Just because God isn’t destroying cities like Sodom and Gomorrah today doesn’t mean there aren’t repercussions for sin. Just because God isn’t sending famine on people for forsaking His law for marriage (Malachi 2-3) doesn’t mean consequences aren’t being meted out via natural law today. Let us strive to live so as to receive God’s every day blessings and favor!
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