ODD ONE OUT
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Opening Prayer
Lord, help me take my time, unhurried, as I read your Word. Open my mind and heart as I meditate on its truths; build my trust in you, your love, and faithfulness.
Read PSALM 130
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
A song of ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What thoughts come to you when you witness a sunrise?
As a former literature teacher, I like to explore the structure of a piece of writing. In this ‘Song of Ascents’, we have three pairs of verses, the second verse of each pair echoing the first. Verses 1 and 2 are a desperate plea to be heard. Verses 5 and 6 have the theme of wait … wait … wait … wait. Verses 7 and 8 bring the reassuring news that redemption comes from God’s love. What of verses 3 and 4, though? Here, instead of an echo, there is a dramatic contrast. Verse 3 paints a stark picture of humanity’s sinful nature, barring us from relationship with God, whereas verse 4 reveals the wonder of forgiveness offered to us, so we might not merely stand in God’s presence, but are allowed to be part of his team.
From our kitchen there is a perfect view of the sunrise over the Staffordshire Moorlands. Usually I wake at about 7am and make a pot of coffee. In summer, that’s too late to enjoy the sunrise. In winter I often sit in the darkness, waiting for the first glow over Axe Edge. In late December it feels like I’m waiting forever—but it always happens. There’s no day when the sun doesn’t rise.
Now I can sense a different flow to this psalm. I can recognize my failings all too easily (vv. 1, 2) and know the theological truth of God’s forgiveness (vv. 3, 4). Yet it doesn’t necessarily come immediately (vv. 5, 6). I sometimes have to wait, if I am fully to experience God’s work in me. My hope, however, is positive and active, because I know it will happen, just as the sun always rises. It happens, unfailing and fully (v. 7), and I can do nothing but exhort you to try it (vv. 7, 8).
Apply
Do you have a long-repeated prayer for which you’d love an answer? In the light of God’s unfailing love and full redemption, bring it once more to him.
Closing prayer
Lord God, you have proven your faithfulness—help me to remember that you hear my every prayer and you always answer. Help me to trust in your promises and to wait on you with patience and confidence.
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