Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

---

Read

Psalm 130 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?

But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.

---

Reflect

But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. Sweet words, precious words! These are words that anchor my soul. Our God does provide for us. God cares for us as children. But God does not mark our inequities and God forgives us of our sin. We praise God for many reasons but forgiveness, for me, is the greatest reason.

Sometimes, however, the thought of forgiveness seems to far for me. I understand in my mind that God forgives me, but sometimes it takes me a while to feel forgiven. So like the psalmist my soul waits on the Lord more than those who watch for the morning. It is God that redeems and God who lifts my soul. This is why I praise God.

---

Pray

Lord God, to you is due all power, glory, and praise. You provide, you instruct, and you forgive. Thank you, God for forgiveness. I ask that we can apprehend your grace, but until we can, we wait on you. Amen.

Go with God!