Tag: lovingkindness
Week 21–Day 1–EMS Encouragement
Scripture reading for May 18: Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy Name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
King David loved to worship God and composed many of the psalms, including this one. This psalm extols the blessing of God, encouraging each believer to remember and worship God Who alone can bring these benefits. This song of blessing to God comes from deep inside of David’s heart and the blessing are tied to personal experience of each one. We note that David blesses God’s holy Name. God’s Names in the Old Testament reveal these benefits and are part of His revelation to man of His merciful character and desire to see man made in His image made whole and fully reflecting Him.
First, God forgives us of all our iniquity. Iniquity is a term used to describe not just a transgression of God’s law, but a pattern of living outside of God’s law. When we confess and repent, God not only forgives us our sins but has the ability to help us live victorious over the patterns of sin that beset us.
God also heals all our diseases. Disease and sickness are part of living in a fallen world. They are part of Satan’s plan to kill, steal from us and destroy our bodies and souls. God revealed Himself as His people’s healer in Exodus 15:26 and the psalmist declares this as a benefit of trusting God. Jesus came doing miracles of healing to show His Father’s compassion for sick and hurting people.
As first responders who are believers, God wants us to allow His love and mercy to flow through us to those we respond to. We are to bless people by our competence and care, trusting God to do the healing. As medical professionals, we can only show compassion and treat disease and injury. God can bring healing and renew strength like an eagle.
Prayer: Father God, we bless You for all Your many benefits and Your steadfast love and mercy. We willingly give ourselves to You to minister Your love and mercy to those You send us to. Amen.
Great and unsearchable things!
Scripture reading for August 10th: Jeremiah 30-33
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3
“While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the Word of the Lord came to him a second time: “This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it–The Lord is His name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ “ Jeremiah 33:2-3
God loved His people! He drew His people to Him with cords of loving-kindness from the enticements of the world. God’s love ransomed them from the hand of the enemy. (Jeremiah 31:11) His Love would cause them to take up the tambourine and dance with the joyful! (Jeremiah 31:4, 13)
God spoke to Jeremiah of a time when He would make a new covenant with Israel. This covenant would be different than the old one made with those who came out of Egypt. This covenant would include God writing His law on the human heart and mind. God would personally be their God and each person would personally know God. He would forgive their sin and remember it no more! (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
The visions of restoration came to Jeremiah at a most unlikely time in Israel’s history. The nation was surrounded by the Babylonians and Jeremiah was confined to the courtyard of the guard under house arrest. But in the midst of the troubling time, God’s word brought hope and encouragement to Jeremiah and His people. God would allow the destruction of the Temple and city and send the people into captivity but He promised restoration and the New Covenant!
The amazing promises given to Jeremiah included the promise of the righteous “Branch” that would sprout from David’s line. (Jeremiah 33:14-16) This “Branch” would bring salvation to Judah and peace and safety to Jerusalem. His name would be “The Lord our Righteousness”. This “Branch” was none other than Jesus Christ! He brought the “New Covenant” in His own blood that would enable eternal forgiveness of sins and the law written on hearts. He was the embodiment of the everlasting love of God in human flesh! These are great and unsearchable things revealed to all who call on Him! Call out in faith today!