Thursday, June 29, 2023

Friday prior to Proper 8

 

Psalm 119:153-160 – This Psalm is suggested for this coming Sunday. It falls under the Hebrew letter “Resh” the twentieth letter in the Hebrew alphabet.  It is a psalm and prayer of deliverance. “See how I love your precepts; preserve my life.

We must rely on God to justify us and to defend us in the final day.  This life is full of grief, pain and affliction. Yet, we serve a heavenly Father, and His tender mercies are greater by far than any persecution of the enemy. We feel secure when we listen to His words and trust in His loving-kindness.

The psalmist cries, "Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word."

Christ is the advocate of his people, their Redeemer. Who is mighty, and thoroughly pleads their cause against the accusations of Satan. He defends their innocence from the calumnies of wicked men, and rights their wrongs, and redresses their grievances.

Christians are promised that we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. God will plead on the side of David. David knows that he is helpless unless God takes his side. This is like an attorney who pleads your case for you. Christ your Savior works on your behalf, pleading to the Father for pardon, mercy and grace.

These words of comfort and hope mirror the last five words that He spoke to humans before He ascended into heaven. "I am with you always..." Jesus your Savior gives you His guarantee that He will not walk out on you. Never!

Jesus understands your station in life and He promises to do something about this sorry lot.

He promises us the Counselor. For your aid and comfort.

Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will come and appears on your behalf to be a mediator, an intercessor, and a genuine helper for you.

Who is this counselor? He is the Spirit of truth, the One who can be known and revealed only by faith. He is the One who dwells and lives within you.

While so many live with the mistaken notion that perception is reality, the Savior confirms to you that He is your reality. Christ alone is the solution to any feelings of abandonment. So go ahead. Plead your cause to Him. He has promised to listen. And He will take action according to His gracious will.

Lord, you are just and your commandments are eternal. Teach us to love you with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves, for the sake of Jesus our Lord.  

Image copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
Prayer for Psalm 119.153-16, For All the Saints – A Prayer Book For and By the Church Year 1 © 1994American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi NY 
 

 

 

 


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