Friday 12 April 2024

Psalm 42

Background

The previous verse (v. 20) described the collective human tragedy: everyone has sinned and gone astray from God. Therefore we all have fallen short of being able to share in the amazing things God intends for us. The way of God’s intention is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – all of which Paul describes in another letter (Galatians 5:22-23) and that is how a full life lived in God’s way can be achieved.

Today’s verses describe the collective opportunity for every person. In spite of our going astray from God’s ways, God has made it possible for us to be ‘justified’. In other words, God declares us good and sinless by God’s own choice and grace. Grace can be interpreted in simple terms as receiving a good thing when we deserve a bad thing. Paul describes it that way here. As someone once put it: “To be justified is to be made just as if I’d never gone wrong.”

This gift is given through faith in Jesus Christ to "all who believe" (Romans 3:22).

So here we have a word of truth put in straightforward terms: we all go wrong and there is nothing we can do about it. However, God has made it right through Jesus. So, let’s follow Jesus’ example and put into practice the things that help us to live out God’s original intention. Then we will find that we are blessed to be a blessing in God’s ways and in God’s name. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against such things.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

To Ponder:

• What do I need to do to be more loving, peace-filled, patient and kind?
• Where and how can my actions and words make a positive difference?
• Listen to ‘I Surrender All’ sung by Lucy Grimble.

Prayer

Lord – who knows when I sit and when I rise – forgive me:
for the wounding words I have spoken
for the foolish, thoughtless actions I have taken
for the pride which causes me to think I am better than I am
for hatred, often disguised as displeasure
for the things I have left undone
for jealous thoughts
for doing that which I ought not to have done.
Thank you that, despite my faults, you always forgive.
Teach me to live in your way, not mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Andy Fyall
Andy Fyall is Chair of the Nottingham & Derby District with oversight of New Places for New People. He is married to Helen, also a Methodist minister, and is dad to Hannah and Matthew. He served in the Cardiff and Nottingham (South) and Stamford Circuits, before returning to Nottingham in 2022. In his spare time Andy enjoys spending time with his family as well as walking, cycling, cooking and choral singing.