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40 DAYS OF LENT: DAY #30
WORD OF TODAY: Psalm 103:8-9 (Coverdale Psalter, 2019 Book of Common Prayer)
The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, long-suffering, and of great goodness. 9 He will not always be chiding; neither keepeth he his anger forever.
THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:
As we begin this final quarter of Lenten Season, we again encounter the Truth of God’s love and grace and mercy. Today we are reminded that the LORD our God does not desire a single soul to be lost. Our LORD does not wish for anyone to suffer. The gift of redemption is offered freely without cost to the recipient, but it’s offering comes from a great cost paid by Christ Jesus.
Take some time to consider today the depth of compassion our LORD has shown. Is there any greater witness of our Triune God’s compassion than Jesus’ cry from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”? How great is the mercy of God displayed in the Incarnation, the Son lowering Himself into humanity and suffering the consequence of our sin?
The psalmist proclaims the LORD is long-suffering. Consider, the Word spoken became flesh and hung on the cross, who with a word could have removed all the pain and hurt He endured. He struggled for each breath upon the cross enduring the weight of our sin. Consider anew today the long-suffering of our LORD, the agony of Christ Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself, and the slow-motion of the moment in time that each heartbeat must have been during His suffering.
The anger brought forth from the offense of our sins lay bare across the back of Jesus, righteous anger toward the unrighteous with every blow upon those nails driven through His flesh. But the anger is no longer kept, Jesus has taken away that anger upon Himself. Consider today this great gift of love that is our God!