{"id":1341,"date":"2010-12-05T01:13:32","date_gmt":"2010-12-05T01:13:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/12\/advent-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-waiting-for-forgiveness.html"},"modified":"2010-12-05T01:13:32","modified_gmt":"2010-12-05T01:13:32","slug":"advent-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-waiting-for-forgiveness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/12\/advent-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-waiting-for-forgiveness.html","title":{"rendered":"Advent Inspiration from The High Calling: Waiting for Forgiveness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Waiting for Forgiveness:
A Devotion for the Second Sunday of Advent
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Psalm 130:1-8<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\nLORD, if you kept a record of our sins,
\n     who, O Lord, could ever survive?
\nBut you offer forgiveness,
\n     that we might learn to fear you.<\/p>\n

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Psalm 130:3-4<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\nPsalm 130 begins with a desperate cry for help. The psalmist calls out
\nto God “from the depths of despair” (v. 1). We do not know the exact
\npredicament in which the psalmist found himself, but we do know that it
\nwas related to his sin: “LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O
\nLord, could ever survive?” (v. 3). Implied within this statement is an
\nunderstanding that our sins are so numerous and appalling that we
\ndeserve to die because of them.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\"Week-2-after-5.jpg\"<\/form>\n

But that’s not the end of the story. Verse 4 continues: “But you
\noffer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.” No matter how much
\nwe have sinned, we have hope because God is merciful. He forgives and
\nrestores. Notice the unexpected result of our forgiveness: “that we
\nmight learn to fear you.” You might think that the experience of
\nforgiveness would lead to taking God for granted. In fact, however, when
\nwe truly grasp the import of our sin, and when we truly realize the
\nwonder of God’s forgiveness, the more we will be drawn to reverence. We
\nwill bow before the Lord in humble worship and live our lives in service
\nto him.<\/p>\n

\tIn Psalm 130, the fact that God forgives and restores fuels the
\npsalmist’s hope: “I am counting on the LORD; . . . I have put my hope in
\nhis word. I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn”
\n(vv. 5-6). The psalm writer yearns for the day when God will forgive,
\nnot just his sin, but also the sin of Israel. On that day, “He himself
\nwill redeem Israel from every kind of sin” (v. 8). Thus, the psalmist
\nurges Israel to “hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is unfailing
\nlove” (v. 7).<\/p>\n

\tThe hope of Psalm 130 is an Advent kind of hope. The psalmist is
\nhoping, waiting, aching to experience God’s forgiveness and redemption.
\nIn the season of Advent, we remember how God’s people once yearned for a
\nSavior who would restore their nation. We also get in touch with our
\nown need for forgiveness and renewal. Though the situation is quite
\ndifferent from that of the writer of Psalm 130, we also put our hope in
\nthe Lord and long for him. We too need him to put our lives back
\ntogether. We too need to experience the new life he alone can give.
\nThus, Psalm 130 helps us prepare for a rich celebration of the birth of
\nthe Savior who will indeed bring God’s forgiveness and redemption to the
\nworld . . . including you and me.<\/p>\n

\tQUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:<\/strong> Take some time to
\nreflect on the reality of God’s forgiveness through Christ. How do you
\nrespond to the fact that God forgives all of your sin? How does this
\ntruth help you to fear the Lord, that is, to revere him and humbly
\nworship him?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
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\nPRAYER: <\/strong>Gracious God, like the psalmist, there have
\nbeen many times when I cry out to you from the depths of despair, times
\nwhen I beg you to hear my prayer and pay attention to me. Thank you for
\nbeing there, for listening, for making yourself known to me.<\/p>\n

\tYes, it’s true, Lord, that if you kept a record of my sins, I’d be
\nwithout hope. But in fact you are gracious and merciful. You do forgive.
\nThus I hope in you. I trust you with my present and my future.<\/p>\n

\tTo be sure, there is still more to be redeemed in my life. May your
\nforgiveness and healing touch every part of me. May I live each moment
\nout of reverence for you, offering myself to you as a living sacrifice.<\/p>\n

\tThank you, dear Lord, for the season of Advent, for the opportunity
\nto be reminded of just how much I need you. All praise be to you, Amen<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

<\/a>Would you like to receive a Daily Reflection like this one in your email inbox each morning?  <\/p>\n

Here’s how . . . .<\/em><\/strong>
\nThis devotional comes from The High Calling: Everyday Conversations about Work, Life, and God <\/em>(www.thehighcalling.org<\/a>). You can read my Daily Reflections there, or sign up to have them sent to your email inbox each day. This website contains lots of encouragement for people who are trying to live out their faith in the workplace. The High Calling<\/i> is associated with Laity Lodge, where I work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Waiting for Forgiveness:A Devotion for the Second Sunday of Advent Psalm 130:1-8 LORD, if you kept a record of our sins,      who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness,      that we might learn to fear you. Psalm 130:3-4 Psalm 130 begins with a desperate cry for help. The psalmist calls out…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[198,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1341","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-advent","category-sunday-inspiration"],"yoast_head":"\nAdvent Inspiration from The High Calling: Waiting for Forgiveness - Mark D. 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The psalmist calls out…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/12\/advent-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-waiting-for-forgiveness.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Mark D. Roberts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2010-12-05T01:13:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/files\/import\/photos\/Week-2-after-5.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mark D. Roberts\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Advent Inspiration from The High Calling: Waiting for Forgiveness - Mark D. 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Roberts","description":"Mark D. Roberts: Thoughtfully Christian Reflections on Jesus, the Church, and the World","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/1ff094a57b7e41f534434b1723df3d73","name":"Mark D. Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1341","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1341"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1341\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1341"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1341"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1341"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}