Todays readings.. Exodus 11&12, Psalm 66&67, Mark 1

“IF I HAD CHERISHED INIQUITY IN MY HEART”  

    The Psalms are often very personal.  We read today of the great things God has done – and will yet do.  The more we are conscious of God, the more we should have the heart felt desire to serve him and that, that service should be the very best of which we are capable. It is those who have no real consciousness of the all seeing eye of God who cherish thoughts of sinful ways in their thinking and seem blind to the weaknesses in their character.

    Today we read Psalm 66.  Remember the Psalms are the Hymn Book of Ancient Israel. Most were designed to be sung in the Temple , so imagine singing this in the Temple Solomon built. “I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you, that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble … Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul … If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.  But God truly has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.” [v.13,14,16,18,19]

    God knows whether we are genuine – even more than we might sometimes be prepared to admit to ourselves.  Recall how Jesus, when he was in the temple, taught them “saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” [Mark 11 v.17]  That time is now near and those who do not cherish iniquity in their hearts will be there and experience the reality of the opening words of this Psalm!

    “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!  Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!  So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.  All the earth worships you and sings praises to you …” [ v.1-4]  May we be there to sing and offer endless praise.