A Peck of Gold

In The Dark

I was thinking last night, well, praying really- about the multitude of sins I have heaped up in my life, and I was feeling defeated. After a while, I tend to believe that God must get exasperated with me. I can't seem to stop sinning, and surely He must get tired of forgiving me. How do I know that one day He isn't going to say, "Okay Shannon, you've pushed Me just a little too far. You've used up your Get Out Of Hell Free passes. Do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars."

But then I remembered. He promised.

And waves of absolution washed over me. I was shocked by the physical sensation of that reminder, by the freshness of mercy that soothed me. Undeserved, unending, and overwhelming, Thanks be to God...

Psalm 130 A song of ascents.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD ;
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

If you, O LORD , kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

I wait for the LORD , my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD ,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

**Our pastor spoke on this psalm, pointing out how the watchmen waits for the dawn-- not wondering or hoping that it will come... but knowing, with certainty that the sun will rise. How much more can we depend on God's promise of love and redemption?**