Psalm 17:6-15, Isaiah 26:1-19, 1 John 3:1-24 - Lectionary for 12/9/11

Today's readings are Psalm 17:6-15, Isaiah 26:1-19, and 1 John 3:1-24. Isaiah is full of psalms. Have you ever noticed it? I hope so. See today how the people pour out a lament and receive comfort from God. What we have tried has accomplished nothing good. God will bring healing and grace, which is sufficient to accomplish all good. John reflects on the same idea. God has poured out his love on us, calling us his children. This is his great glory, that he can adopt sinners such as we are and make them his children. What is our response? Forsake sin! Yet we can't do that. As we try and fail, we also turn to our Lord in repentance, seeking his forgiving grace. We know where God's grace dwells he takes away sin. He gives us instead a love for God and for one another. Seeing what our Lord has done, let us walk in his love.