Daily Devotion for February 20, 2006

GRACE

 

Lord, who my go and find refuge and shelter in your tabernacle up on your holy hill? Anyone who leads a blameless life and is truly sincere. Anyone who refuses to slander others, does not listen to gossip, never harms his neighbor, speaks out against sin, criticizes those committing it, commends the faithful followers of the Lord, keeps a promise even if it ruins him, does not crush his debtors with high interest rates, and refuses to testify against the innocent despite the bribes offered him -- such a man shall stand firm forever. (TLB) Psalm 15:1-5

 

WOW!

 

Who could measure up, who could enter His tabernacle on those terms?

 

I think of Job in the passage where he tells God that he does not deserve his severe suffering because he has lived an upright, blameless life. Pretty serious claim. Perhaps he made it on the basis of having lived up to the required sacrifices and ritual of that day. In our day, the Light of the World shines through in Christ! Often when I pray I feel overwhelmed with the need to somehow express adequate thanks to God for what He has done, and I soon realize it is impossible to do so. I get an inadequate feeling because of the immensity of His grace and my inability in human language to tell him how I feel. And then I remember the passage where we are told the Holy Spirit is our intermediary, interpreting our feeble attempts at thanksgiving into something worthy of our eternal God who has shown us such awesome grace (Romans 8:26). I am brought through the process to a feeling of exhilarating celebration. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.

 

Prayer
Heavenly Father, in the midst of Your awesomeness, we rest in the beauty and security of the peace and joy you give us in Christ Jesus. Thank You that we can see You in Him. This helps us to feel at home with You even though Your greatness is beyond our understanding. Amen.

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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