Wednesday, September 18, 2024  

---

Today's Scripture
Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?

But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;

my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities. (NRSV)

---

Reflection

What is an iniquity anyway? We’ve heard the word for years in church. It’s used more than 200 times in the Old Testament, most often as a word for “sin” or “guilt.” The root word in Hebrew means “to bend, curve, turn aside, or twist.”

What could we have “bent” or “twisted” that should make us cry for forgiveness with such fervor? Well, most basically, we bend God’s order for the universe. Little ol’ us. We treat people poorly or let anger and frustration cause hurt to others. We ignore those who can’t take care of themselves, like those who are sick or in need. We abuse the earth that sustains us. To “unbend” these sins brings us more in line with God’s perfection, though that perfection is something we are light years from seeing or understanding.

Little ol’ us, causing such problems. And God loves us still.

This psalm is often recited during Lent, that time of reflection and penitence. In the twelfth century, Pope Innocent III decreed it should be recited daily in Lent, because within its eight verses, it reflects all of scripture: we are broken, but when we admit it, God’s love and forgiveness will redeem us. God knows us but clears our iniquities anyway.

God sees us as we are. It’s nice to be seen.

---

Prayer
Dear Lord, for better and worse, you see me as I am. There is no hiding from you, and I am grateful for that. Please help me find my best role in your creation and help me fulfill it. Amen.

---

Written by Jim Garner, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email