Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from Psalm One Hundred and Nineteen verse Sixty Seven, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now your word I keep,” (Amplified Bible). In this collection of meditations on the influence of the word of God within humans, the poet states that during times of suffering, he was turned back to the word of God. The suffering humbled the sufferer to seek the word of the Lord and to receive the correction and enlightenment that came from the word of the Lord. Following the principles of God’s commandments leads to renewed healing and wholeness. The guilt and shame of disobedience are exchanged for the joy of being forgiven and pronounced in right standing with God. The word of the Lord is life-giving, it is not a burden to carry, but a light on the path. Studying the word of the Lord, and applying it in the journey of life, will open the heart to understanding and fulfilling God’s mission ascribed to each person for their life. The word of the Lord leads to great peace within the minds and hearts of those who follow the instructions given through God’s decrees. God word is truth and his laws are founded on truth and justice. The psalmist, King David, writes in Psalm Nineteen verse Nine, “The reverent fear of the Lord endures forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether,” (Amplified Bible).
Jesus taught his disciples that God did not send him to judge the world, but to bring to world to obedience and restore the relationship between humans and God. We read in the Gospel of John, Chapter Three verses Seventeen and Eighteen, “For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge and condemn, or to pass sentence on the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. He who believes in Him, is not judged, for those who believe in the Son do not come up for judgement, or condemnation,” (Amplified Bible). Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God who was lifted up on the Cross, who through his obedience to God’s Word, brought salvation to all, turning all to obedience to God’s laws.
The Apostle Paul wrote in the Second Letter to the Corinthians in Chapter Seven verse Ten, “Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and leads to no regrets,” (NRSVB). The Apostle Paul contrasted in this writing the sorrow that cannot be comforted due to the futility of seeking consolation and forgiveness in an unforgiving and judgmental world, versus the sorrow that is caused by sincere regrets, remorse and shame that is brought to the Lord. Even though the suffering is painful, for it is hard to be shown that actions were wrong, and to acknowledge wrongdoing. This causes sorrow, but not despair, all hope is not lost, for forgiveness follows after repentance. Restoration follows forgiveness. The regrets of the past are forgotten and a future filled with hope dawns for those who accepted correction from the hand of the Lord.
Father, we thank you that you have come to save us from our failure to be able to obey your commandments. You have send your Son to show us the truth and life of the Gospel, through his obedience to your laws and your will, Amen.