Saturday May 8, 2021

Today’s Reading: Psalm 14

Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come from Zion! When the Lord restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

Psalm 14:7

Reflection: The LORD God has heard the cries of His people for deliverance! He has noted their distress and answered their pleas for help. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, God has indeed delivered His people from sin and death. While the plans of the afflicted are frustrated by sinners, the plans of God remain steadfast and sure. While evildoers consume the helpless like bread, the LORD presents the world with Living Bread to grant eternal life. True, there is no one who is good on earth. All have turned away from God. The LORD has looked down on earth and seen that everyone has gone astray. But He has done something remarkable in response. In the midst of our sin, He has brought rescue. Through Christ, God has drawn near to sinners while they have wandered far from Him. Thank God that He is Good, and that His Goodness is far stronger than the sins of the unrighteous.

Rejoice, God’s people, for through the centuries the LORD has heard your prayers. Even the cry of the psalmist He has been faithful to answer. The psalmist asks for temporal safety, and looks forward to physical salvation from his enemies. And the LORD understands and answers these cries for help as well. But He also meets needs far greater than we realize. Our eternal deliverance has been granted by our God. He is truly good.

Prayer: LORD, You are the God of my salvation. You have brought me deliverance from sin and death by Your Son Jesus. Thank You for the way You’ve loved me. Thank You for displaying Your Grace and Mercy through the work of Your Son. I am not good, LORD. I am only made good by Your Righteousness. Cleanse me from my sin, I pray. Please clothe me in the Righteousness of Christ, Your Son. I thank You and praise You, and pray all of things in the Name of Christ my LORD, AMEN.

Bible-in-a-Year Reading Plan (credit: Biblestudytools.com): Luke 12:1-31; Genesis 21; Psalm 14