Daily Lectionary Readings for November 9, 2010
Psalm 51
Joel 2:3-11
Revelation 19:1-10
Luke 14:25-35
Psalm 51
""For I know by transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me."(v.3)
Sin is really not a huge mystery to us. When we slow down for a moment and examine our choices and our actions and our motivations it does not take a lot of in depth analysis to know that much of the weight we are dragging around is the residue of sin. I do know many, if not all, of my transgressions and sin does have a way of getting out in front and leading. Which is why this is such a great Psalm. Many times confession of sin is viewed as a trip to the woodshed. It's time to fess up and take our whipping. Except it's not that at all. Rather it's time to be honest about the extraneous stuff we are hauling around that is holding us back from being the people we want to be and more important the people God made us to be. Psalm 51 is a wonderful, holistic exploration of sin and confession and how it can free us for God's plan and purposes.
Joel 2:3-11
Joel continues with the theme of confession and forgiveness. Repentance and grace. Joel has just pronounced judgment on behalf of God, but follows with these words:
"Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing."(vs.12-13)
Joel tells us that God is not poised and anxiously waiting to punish; rather God is prepared to restore right relationship and allow us the awesome opportunity to experience grace and new beginnings.
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