“…you have given the command to save me…”

–Psalm 71.3–

My 5-year-old son recently received a backyard explorer’s kit. The kit includes a small, clear plastic, oval container with magnifying glasses built into the structure. The container is supposed to be used to capture insects and provide the chance to examine the creepy crawlers up close and personal.

With each insect caught and housed in the scientific study capsule comes the question, “Can we keep it in the house?”

As parents, we do not want to see the bug wither away and die (or maybe we don’t want them escaping into our residence and making themselves comfortable under our couches, in our cabinets, or in our beds), so we give the command to release the creature into the environment that provides for their needs, keeps them safe from death, and promotes life. Because of our child’s new found love of trapping bugs, we are continually speaking words that save life, “Let that insect go!”

We see the insect trapped and unable to help itself. So, we pour out compassion toward it.

In these words from Psalm 71, the psalmist is reminiscing about his life with God. In written form, the author reveals that the trials of his time on earth were always met by God’s goodness working to strengthen and rescue him. In moments where he felt trapped and was unable to help himself, God intervened. God had compassion on him and gave the command from His Heavenly Throne that saved him.

Caught without faith in Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for the forgiveness of your sins, the magnifying glass used to examine the I ntricacies of your being, reveal that in the womb you were hostile to God (Psalm 51.5) and outside of the womb you continue to fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3.23). Upon further examination, it is shown that because of your sin, your brokenness, your corruption, your self-centered living, your lack of love for God and your lack of love for those around you, you are separated from God and deserve to die being separated from God forever (Romans 6.23).

As your Creator, God, the Father in Heaven, does not want to see you wither away or die. He does not want you escaping into the residence of the fallen world and making yourself comfortable, so He gives the command to release you from the burden of the Law that crushes you with it’s demands (Colossians 2.14) into His eternal environment where He provides for your needs (Matthew 6.8), keeps you safe from death (John 10.28-30), and promotes life (John 10.10). Because of your love for the momentary pleasure and gratification of sin, God is continually speaking words that save your life—“Let my people go!” (Exodus 9.1; Mark 1.15; 1 John 1.9; John 3.16-17).

God sees you trapped and unable to help yourself and pours out compassion toward you in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Amen.

Pastor Fred.

July 13, 2017