O my people hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables. I will utter hidden things, things from of old. Psalm 78:1-2
In spite of all this, they kept on sinning : in spite of all his wonders, they did not believe. Psalm 78:32
Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. Psalm 78:34
Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your namesake. Psalm 79:9
Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we might be saved. Psalm 80:3,7,19
God gave Israel the law, but they still sinned. He performed wonders for them, but they forgot his miracles. Time and time again he rescued them and as soon as they were safe, they abandoned him giving him little more than lip service. God answered those prayers of desperation in Psalm 79 and 80. Ultimately He delivered all mankind once and for all through Jesus, the one prophesied to speak in parables.
I am no different than Israel, except in one respect. I am looking back at Christ’s sacrifice for my sin, knowing it is a done deal. They were looking forward to the appearance of the Messiah, not knowing how they would be delivered. Only a few short weeks after God answered my prayers and my crisis passed, I am too distracted to read my bible and my prayer life has dried up. I too have forgotten my first love. Though I am redeemed, I am still a sinner. Paul understood this dichotomy well.
Wretched man I am. Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:24-25
Our need of a Savior has not changed, but now we know that Christ has completed the work of redemption through his blood. It is finished.
I am so easily led away from you. Create a clean heart in me O God. Cleanse me of all my sins. Restore me to right relationship with You. Please forgive me for neglecting what should be the most important relationship in my life. Thank you Lord for your mercy and grace through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. Amen
YICA Reggie
From the archives. Originally published July 8, 2009.
Sixty-six books in a year 