Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
Praise the LORD!
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD,
or declare all his praise?
Blessed are they who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times!
Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people;
help me when you save them,
that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
that I may glory with your inheritance.
Both we and our fathers have sinned;
we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.
Our fathers, when they were in Egypt,
did not consider your wondrous works;
they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love,
but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.
Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,
that he might make known his mighty power.
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry,
and he led them through the deep as through a desert.
So he saved them from the hand of the foe
and redeemed them from the power of the enemy.
And the waters covered their adversaries;
not one of them was left.
Then they believed his words;
they sang his praise.
(ESV)
—Psalm 106:1-12
by: Susan Bond.
Ten years ago I sincerely sang, “His shame and reproach [I’ll] gladly bear.” The very next day I fell into sin and cried to my Savior, “You’re the one who has borne my shame and reproach.”
Ten days ago I promised Ron, a hired food-server at Youth Pre-Con, I would wash his feet. After Pre-Con’s own foot-washing service that night, I sought out Ron but was too late. The next day, he let me explain that I’d wanted to wash his feet because whatever I do for another, I am doing for Christ. At that point, instead of letting me wash his feet, he gave me a rose.
Jesus, Rose of Sharon, you keep exchanging my failure for your grace.