Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Hello, old friend

Some Bible verses are like old friends.  You read them, study them, perhaps memorize them and call on them when you have a need or desire a word of encouragement.

During yesterday's reading in the Treasury of Daily Prayer (published by Concordia Publishing House), the psalm reading for the day was Psalm 103:6-14.  A number of years ago, when Life in Christ was handing out Bible verses on cards for memorization, verse 12 was one that we put to memory. 

However, the entire psalm is worth memorization.  A psalm of David, it reminds us of God's provision - the things we need to sustain life but also the forgiveness He gives for our sins.  David describes the glory of God - exactly who He is.  And the psalm reminds that although everything is passing away in this life, the love of God is "from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him," (verse 17a).

Enjoy and be blessed by reading these verses:

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the people of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

 He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever.

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him;

as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.

 As a father shows compassion to His children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.