“Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” Psalm 130:1-8
In the past few weeks we have become accustomed to waiting. We have had to depend on the medical profession to tell us about an unseen virus that is so widespread, that it has affected the entire world. Waiting and not being able to go about our normal routines can be difficult and unnerving. We have had to learn what sources we can trust for accurate and good information. Waiting and not acting is contrary to how we view, what life should be about.
Our thoughts and prayers have gone out for the families of those that have lost loved ones and for the medical professionals that literally have put their lives at risk. We pray for wisdom from above for our leaders as they make decisions that affect all of us for the future. It is truly a time of waiting and watching.
Psalm 130 is the Psalm for this 5th Sunday in Lent. How appropriate! Jesus often used parables, which are practical examples to teach of heavenly things. The Psalmist wrote this well over 2 thousand years ago. The Psalmist was able to look back and see the care that God had provided over the centuries. The Word had been recorded! There is no doubt where Israel was to hope and put their trust. No doubt on whom to believe!
We have the same source to draw from that Israel did. His love has never changed through the centuries. His mercy is new every morning. His love was never made known more than at Good Friday and Easter morning. He fulfilled His promise to all of humanity by completing the hope of Israel that the Psalmist encouraged the nation in his day.
May all of us hope and wait on the Lord in these trying times. Israel’s hope and consolation was fulfilled in Jesus Christ and His completed work of redemption. Jesus has removed our sin, as far as East is from West through shedding His Blood, to complete the sacrifice prefigured in the Temple at Jerusalem. His Name is above every other name on earth. We can trust Him because He is the Word made flesh, full of grace and truth. (John 1: 14)
Our Lord, is the one that took care of Israel over the centuries, both for physical needs and, more importantly, for spiritual needs. He provided hope in difficult times. He simply asks us to believe on Him, to trust in His Providence, especially in uncertain times. Our future is bright! His Love for us, for you, is unconditional. His Spirit remains in and among us, because Jesus promised! With Him is “plenteous redemption”!
Pastor Stan
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