Psalm 130: In His word do I hope

From Psalms

Psalm 130
(A song of ascents.)

¹Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
²Lord, hear my voice:
let thine ears be attentive
      to the voice of my supplications.

³If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities,
      O Lord, who shall stand?
⁴But there is forgiveness with thee,
      that thou mayest be feared.
⁵I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait,
      and in his word do I hope.
⁶My soul waiteth for the Lord
      more than they that watch for the morning:
      I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

⁷Let Israel hope in the Lord:
      for with the Lord there is mercy,
      and with him is plenteous redemption.
⁸And he shall redeem Israel
      from all his iniquities.

Another great psalm for us addicts.  For, who among us has not cried out from our deepest, darkest times in our lives for His salvation.  Cried out in hopes that He would hear our cry for help.  Cried out knowing full well that the Lord tracks all of our sins, (verse 3) and all of our iniquities.  Who could stand before Him with our history?  With the victims we have left in the wake of our addictions, who of us could stand before him?  Thankfully, though, (verse 4) He is a god of grace and forgiveness.  Thankfully, he sent his only son who died for the forgiveness of these sins.  And so His word gives us hope.  In those darkest hours, when we are not just willing for change but desperate for change.  He is our only hope.  With him there is plenteous redemption.

Oh Lord, as we walk through our journey's whether it is for Lent, or for recovery, or something else, continue to provide us hope.  And as St Francis of Assis prayed - in situations of despair, let us provide hope.  Where there is darkness, let us sow light.  Where there is sadness, let us sow joy.  For you have taught me, as it is with many situations in life, we must be willing to provide if we should expect to receive.  I have learned that it is impossible to get a hug without giving a hug.  Teach us and guide us on how to provide that hope to others.  Help us seek to comfort rather than to be comforted.  Help us to love than to be loved.  For, we have learned that, it is in giving that we receive and it is by forgiving that we are forgiven.  I thank You for these lessons and I thank You for Your hope.  For these things we are grateful - in Your name.  Amen.

Thanks for letting me share.