Psalm 20, Joel 1.1-20, Romans 10.1-21 - Lectionary for 1/21/11

Today's readings are Psalm 20, Joel 1.1-20, and Romans 10.1-21.

Today we read about both God's deliverance of his people and his people's failure and willful plunge into sin and condemnation. There's something about the Christian life that makes these sharp contrasts important. We uphold the reality of human failure. We confess that the fallen human nature is sinful, that there is no way in the world we could pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, even if we had bootstraps. This clear view of the desperate situation we are in lets us see the promises of God more clearly. God's salvation purchased on our behalf by God the Son is revealed in all its enormity when we see the hopelessness of our situation otherwise.

For devotional purposes, I strongly recommend reading the Psalm both at the beginning and the end.

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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com