There are some things that you just cannot change.  For example, your biological mom and dad.  You are who you are in the sense that your DNA came from two very specific human beings.  Of course, that doesn’t mean if you don’t like one of your traits that you inherited, you can’t change that behavior.  We do have control over the words we say, how we treat others, and how we respond to certain situations.  Thank God that He gave us free will and the ability to look at ourselves and examine our behavior.

In Psalm 89:19-37, my first reaction was that God was talking about Jesus.  But, God isn’t – God is talking to and about King David!  God says, “I have found my servant David; with my holy oil I have anointed him…I will not remove from him my steadfast love…His line shall continue forever” (Psalm 89:20; 33; 36).  Jesus is from the line of King David, which is why understanding who King Davis is in the scheme of things is so important.

However, what is difficult for me is King David’s story!  By no means is he a saint by any stretch of the imagination!  He has an affair and plans the murder of his mistresses’ husband!  Foul play is everywhere!  I often wonder why God allowed this to take place in the line of Jesus Christ; but I think it is because it demonstrates God’s profound ability to forgive!  If you read Psalm 89, God loves David so much.  So much so, that there is nothing that David can do to stop loving him.

I truly believe that is how God loves each of us.  In our baptism, God anoints each of us as one of his own.  There is nothing that can break that bond between us and the Lord.

Let us pray…Gracious God, we are your children.  We pray that you fill our hearts with your love, mercy, and grace – no matter how much we mess up.  Keep us close to you.  In your name we pray, Amen.