Thoughts for the Day

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.

(Lectionary New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

One dictionary says that 'hope' is 'An optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large'. Somewhat long-winded, but its definitions include: 'expect with confidence' and 'cherish a desire with anticipation'. The last is rather special.

This is the sixth of the seven penitential psalms (see 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 143), and is a Psalm of Ascent. It would have been sung by pilgrims as they climbed the hill towards the Temple in Jerusalem. There is desperation in the psalmist's voice at the beginning, because of his sin, yet even at his lowest point he remembers that Israel's God is one who forgives the penitent sinner. So he waits with patient hope, as all who are awake at night wait the dawn of a new day. The repetition may not be a scribe's error, but to emphasise the hope that he has that God will answer his plea.

How much more can we have hope - 'cherish a desire with anticipation' - that we can be set free from sin. As Rev Joel Gaertner said: 'We are completely freed from the guilt and punishments of our sins as we look to Jesus and see him make the payment for every last sin. God accepted that payment and declared us as “not guilty".'

Lord Jesus,
You offered up Your life for us,
making the payment for all our sins,
and freeing us from guilt
and punishment.
May we not take this for granted,
but come to You, our Saviour,
and wait patiently You, in hope.
Amen.