One Year Bible Blog: March 13th readings

One Year Bible Blog: March 13th readings

Based on some of the comments I'm seeing in other OYB bloggers' posts, I'm not alone in falling behind. Not that it justifies it, of course. But it's good to know that I'm not the only one with failings. ;) I actually have been keeping up with the readings, but not with comments. I guess I'm taking this from an opportunity to learn and grow, and turning it into a chore.

Anyway, on to today's reading. The one verse that really jumped out to me today was Psalm 56:8:

You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your record? (NRSV)

The image of God collecting all my sorrow and pain, rememering each one, better than I do myself, is comforting to me.

In Sunday's service the pastor, Richard, preached, in part, on Mark 8:38.

Those who are ashamed of me (Jesus) and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glofy of his Father with the holy angels. (NRSV)

Richard spent a good deal of time in his sermon talking about "wounds" received in service to Christ. He talked about them almost as badges of honor (my words, not his). While I certainly see value in that, I got to thinking more about those "wounds" being instead an opportunity for God to show his healing love and grace. I see this psalm verse in that same light. The undeserved pains we suffer are all collected and remembered by God, and it's our acceptance of his healing of those wounds which allows us to really know His grace.

I'm not sure that will make any sense at all to anybody but me. But that's OK. I've been known to be fairly nonsensical before now, and this won't be the last time.