40 Therefore the LORD was angry with his people and abhorred his inheritance. 41 He handed them over to the nations, and their foes ruled over them. 42 Their enemies oppressed them and subjected them to their power. 43 Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin. 44 But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; 45 for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. 46 He caused them to be pitied by all who held them captive. 47 Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. 48 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, "Amen!"
Praise the LORD.

Even though Israel had rejected God many times until he finally sent in nations to take them captive, he never forgot his covenant with them. He had promised they would be his people and even in their rebellion, they were still his people. We see from this Psalm that God’s patience has limits, his punishment of sin is sure but his love is everlasting.

Paul tells us that while we were enemies of God, he gave his Son to die in our place for our sin. We do not deserve his mercy any more than rebellious Israel. We do not deserve his protection from our enemies and we do not deserve his deliverance from our bondage to sin. Yet, because of his great love with which he loves us, he has extended his mercy and thus provided his marvelous grace. This helps us understand that God is love.

The great mystery of God for our salvation is found in the giving of his Son to us. Jesus was born in Bethlehem to live as the Son of man. But not only did he live for us but he also died for us. It is because God came in the flesh and died as man that we can live in the Spirit and have life eternal. Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the LORD.

O God, please forgive my weakness and my stubbornness to do my own will. Too often I tend to forget you and your goodness and become lax in my devotion to you. I demand my own way and begin to think that I can live my life on my own. Forgive my wickedness. Please open my heart to your bidding and to your Spirit that I may be more like you. Fill me with your love and peace. Help me to show your love to others without regard for anything in return. Forgive those who would be unfair to me and help me to love them and forgive them – even in their evil schemes. Use me to be an encouragement to those around me. I pray in the name of Jesus my Savior.

May God bless each of us as we yield our heart to his Spirit.