Hope in the LORD
August 26, 2025
"O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption, and he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities” (Psalm 130:7-8).
This psalm is a cry “out of the depths.” Not the depths of difficulty or danger, as often in the psalms, but the depths of depression over sin. “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (Verse 3).
You have probably been there, so aware of your faults and failings, your sins of having done what you should not have done, and of not having done what you should have done, as the Book of Common Prayer puts it. And we know that, apart from God’s grace, there is no health (or help) in us.
But the psalmist declares, “with you there is forgiveness” (verse 4). Indeed! More than that, but unchanging, unconditional love and plentiful redemption through the shed blood of Jesus Christ (see Romans 3:24).
That’s why we place our hope fully on God, and “wait” for him, expecting help from him alone. We don’t trust in our efforts to improve ourselves or make up for our offenses, but completely trust in the plentiful redemption he grants freely to those who trust in him.
Yours in his steadfast love and abundant redemption,
Wright
PS Enough people made positive comments about my sermon in Farmville, VA, last week that I thought I should send you the link. Start watching at the 38 minute mark. https://www.youtube.com/live/66kb1PLn4SU?si=AQwk5zC6xlf6_8JC