"I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us..."
Isaiah 63:7a
I remember a story told many years ago about a church that had testimony time nearly every Sunday in the service. The pastor would ask if there was anyone who wanted to share a testimony or favorite scripture about the goodness of God. Invariably, one woman would rise at every opportunity and quote the same text from Psalm 55:6: "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." She always quoted the verse with a certain dramatic flair, and after a while, the congregation seemed to tire of her weekly offering. One day, after a particularly emotional rendering of the text, a man was heard to mutter in that mumbling voice that is often heard, "Someone stick a feather in her and let her go."
The prophet is offering testimony in our text today. There is no hint here that the words are overdone or abused. Indeed, this is the spontaneous offering of praise that recognizes the kindness of the Lord that must be acknowledged. These words may seem strange in the context of exile, yet the prophet remembers and proclaims that God has not forsaken this people. God has been faithful and will continue faithful. He calls to mind this identity in the last verse of the chapter as he reflects, "We are yours from of old..." God has been faithful...is faithful, and will continue faithful.
Our Lenten journey draws us to the cross where that faithfulness is on display. Standing in awe in that place, we, with the prophet affirm, "I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us."
Prayer: Your kindness is shown us again and again O Lord. With gratitude we testify and praise your name.
Jim Abernathy
No comments:
Post a Comment