Devotional - July 23rd, 2023

 Psalm 86: vs. 13-15….(13) For great is your steadfast love towards me; you have delivered my soul, from the depth of Sheol. (14) O God, the insolent rise up against me; a band of ruffians seeking my life; they do not set You before them. (15) But You before them are a God, merciful and gracious. slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

The Psalm of David highlights the ability of God’s love to save the believers from Sheol, (the Hebrew concept of hell or separation from the Lord). the Psalmist David continues on by observing the challenges that his people have from enemies and those who would rise up to kill them. The powerful weapon that the Lord has to overcome then is His abundance of reliable support and love.

We recall in Luke chapter 4 when Jesus first came to the Synagoge just after His Baptism in Jordan, He comes to proclaim that He comes on behalf of this faithful and loving God. Jesus reads from the prophet Isaiah. Thus Jesus embeds His ministry in the prophets and the Psalmist, centuries of Jewish tradition. In this moment in the temple Jesus calls His followers to also invest themselves in this traddition. By extension He calls all of us as well. We are called to bring God’s abundant grace and love into our world.

Yes, there will be enemies, those who will ‘seek our lives’; the real key being that salvation from Sheol and other challenges is a triumphant and everpresent God. A God who overcomes the cross and all things.

Prayer: O God, open to us the glory and faithfulness of your love for us with whom we can partner on this journey. Make us strong and caring as we share this message with each other and the wider world. In Jesus name, Amen.

Devotional by and from : Clyde Powell

God's peace,

Pastor Brian