Daily Devotion for December 21, 2005

ADVENT – A TIME TO EXAMINE

 

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

 

Psalm 51 is one of the richest psalms in the Bible.

 

Advent is a season of penitence, a time to examine ourselves and our relationship to God. This psalm (like each of us, a beloved child of God and a sinner) helps us to do that.

 

As we wait for the coming of the Messiah, this psalm links Jewish and Christian liturgies. “O Lord, open my lips, and let my mouth declare your praise” (vs. 15) is familiar to me, who grew up with Lutheran Liturgy “Oh Lord, open thou our lips. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.” This same verse introduces the Amidah prayer in Jewish worship. So the psalmist speaks not only out of an ancient anguish, but also to us and for us. “Have mercy upon me, O God, as befits your faithfulness; in keeping with your abundant compassion, blot out my transgressions” (vs. 1). “Faithfulness” translates the Hebrew hesed, which is a word that describes relationship and expresses both attitude and action. God is so faithful that he will act; he will send his son to blot out our transgressions. The Psalmist pleads: “Do not cast me out of your presence, or take your holy spirit away from me” (vs. 11).

 

With the birth of Jesus, God comes to us in the flesh.  Let us be prepared.

 

Prayer
Help me today to examine myself and see myself for what I am, a sinner in need of a redeemer.  With your birth Jesus – I can now be a REDEEMED sinner.  Thank you, and let my mouth declare your praise!  Amen.

 

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