Through the Bible in one year - Day 69

 

Psalm 69:1-3

Save me, O God!

For the waters have come up to my neck.

I sink in deep mire,

where there is no foothold;

I have come into deep waters,

and the flood sweeps over me.

I am weary with my crying out;

my throat is parched.

From yesterday’s Exodus reading we can remember how this might have been the plea of the Israelites – or certainly for the Egyptians had they but known how to pray – and to whom. Thankfully we have read these Psalms and scriptures and know to whom we pray – and that he will answer us in his loving kindness.

Here we have a favorite song on a great theme; no wonder the Israelites sing for joy. The horse and the rider have been thrown into the sea. Just when all seemed lost the Lord fought for them and saved them. This is a song we are likely to sing in the Easter vigil – and there is a reason for that I think, and that is the graphic quality of this salvation. It has all the earmarks of a great tale. Almost certain death: and salvation at the last minute but God’s supernatural intervention. (No wonder Mr. DeMille thought so.)

In Ezra today we read that the king of Persia gets a letter letting him know that it was with the previous king’s decree that work is being done on the temple. I see that the Israelites do not place blame on the Persians for enslaving them or destroying the temple – they admit that their own actions caused the destruction and now through the king’s generosity they have been given the right to rebuild.

We continue where we left off yesterday in Paul’s letter to the Romans and his next question is – now that grace abounds – and covers sin shall we sin more? The answer is no. Now we are slaves to righteousness – out of thanksgiving for all that God has done through Christ we are free – and we ought to be thankful. Like the Israelites before us, we have been saved by God’s grace and also like them our response should be to listen to the Lord and follow his commands – so as not to find ourselves in the same place as they found themselves in again and again; that of enslavement in sin and in need of salvation and rebuilding.

Today’s readings: Psalm 69, Exodus 15:1-21, Ezra 5, Romans 6