Celtic Daily Prayer

Our Celtic Daily Prayer now presents us with the Call: If you, Lord, should mark iniquities: and seeks the Response: Who could stand? who could stand?

This part of the daily prayer leads us to consider God’s compassion that is most clearly seen in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. In fact, Psalm 130 goes on to speak of forgiveness; “But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”

The word iniquity is not a word we often use today. In biblical terms, Iniquity is a violation of the right or duty that humankind is under obligation to do. An iniquity can also be a wicked act and immoral conduct or practice. These are harmful or offensive to society and, especially to God. In the bible, the terms, sin, and iniquity, are often used interchangeably.

But the key to this morning prayer call is “if you, Lord, should mark iniquities:”

The bible tells us When God Forgives, He remembers no more.

How different God’s pardon is from ours! So often we forgive as did the mother of the little girl who had been good a whole week, and asked mother for a favour. “I know” was the answer, “that you have been good all this week, but you know your were bad last week.” In a passionate burst of feeling the little one exclaimed: “Oh, mother, you are not one bit like God. When He forgives He doesn’t keep throwing it up afterward.”

It was C. S. Lewis who speaks of forgiveness in this way, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”

Lord God, I trust in you today. I thank you that you keep turning the pages of my life. Everyday you give me a new beginning. Help me to ride each new wave of temptation, and to overcome the things that can drag my life down. As I look to you I declare your promise of freedom over my life. Amen.