GWFT 06/04/2024

The podcast is called "God's Word for Today" and is produced by the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America. In this episode, Pastor Bob Tomberg reads Psalm 130 and discusses its meaning. The psalmist starts by crying out to the Lord from a place of despair and sinfulness. However, the psalmist finds hope in God's abundant love and forgiveness. As Christians, we can relate to these feelings and trust that God will hear our prayers. The psalm ends with a reminder that God's mercy and redemption are available to all who believe. The podcast encourages listeners to visit their website for more information and to subscribe to receive new episodes. Welcome to God's Word for Today, a podcast ministry of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America. My name is Bob Tomberg, pastor of the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Kingston, Minnesota. Today is Tuesday, June 4th, 2024, and we're looking forward to the third Sunday after Pentecost. Our reading today is the 130th Psalm, reading in the name of Jesus. What are the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord? Lord hear my voice, let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who would stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in this word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord, do more than they that watch for the morning, I say more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities. Our psalm opens with a powerful image, the psalmist crying out from the depths. This evokes feelings of isolation, sorrow, and a sense of being overwhelmed by sin. Despite the initial despair, a shift occurs. The psalmist acknowledges God's abundant love and faithfulness. He expresses hope in God's word, which promises forgiveness and redemption. As Christians, we acknowledge our inherent sinfulness, and this psalm allows us to express those feelings honestly before God. When we find ourselves in the pit of despair, we can pray these words and know that God will hear our cries and not reject our prayers because of our iniquities. The psalm ends with a beautiful expression of hope. God's ultimate deliverance surpasses any earthly hope. No matter what trial we are going through, we can trust God, who bought us with His precious atoning blood. We can trust His plan, even when we don't understand His timing or purpose. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities. Amen. Let us pray. Lord God, Heavenly Father, we know that we are poor, wretched sinners, and that there is no good in us, our hearts, flesh, and blood being so corrupted by sin that we are never in this life without sinful lusts and desires. So we beseech You, dear Father, forgive us these sins, and let Your Holy Spirit so cleanse our hearts that we may desire and love Your word, abide by it, and thus by Your grace be forever saved. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever, Amen. God's Word for today is a podcast ministry of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America. You can visit our website at apostolcluthron.org for more information about our federation or to find a congregation. Also, please subscribe so you will receive our new content every weekday.