TUESDAY, October 20

Psalm 26. Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life. (NIV)

The service manager at the car dealership gave me a certificate for a "free" oil change, but only after verifying that I had given the dealership a good rating on my last visit. That oil change wasn't free; it was bought and paid for by a favorable survey.
In our spiritual lives, too, often an expression designed to say "thank you" becomes a bribe, a bargain to get God to embrace us. We want to say, "Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life," when we should say, "You have vindicated me, O Lord, so I try to lead a blameless life."

To say that we must live good lives to earn something from God is to deny God's grace and unconditional love. Something received because we deserve it or have earned it is not a gift. No, God's gifts are real gifts, not transactions or payments for services rendered.

God loves. God forgives. God embraces. All this comes not from our earning it, but from God's initiative. My life, lived well, is not the cause of God's grace, but its effect. The grace of God truly is free. And because of that grace, so am I.

PRAY for the Diocese of Thika (Kenya)

Ps 28 * 36, 39; Lamentations 1:1-5(6-9)10-12; 1 Corinthians 15:41-50; Matthew 11:25-30

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email this

Trackback(0)

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (6) Add Comment

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/hide comments

...

Oct 20, 2009 at 4:23 am

Written by Robert Lebby,

Today's FDBD author has reminded me, as I so often need to be reminded, of God's unending love and mercy, despite my failure to live a blameless live. He has redeemed me and all who trust in Him with His free gift of vindication and salvation through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you.

...

Oct 20, 2009 at 5:56 am

Written by Julia,

Amen. I think one reason we need to be reminded of this so often is because too often The Church sends the opposite message. i.e."If you do this, God will bless you." "If you do that, God will bless you." "If you follow these rules to the letter of the law, you'll go to Heaven"and on and on

...

Oct 20, 2009 at 10:53 am

Written by Richard H. Schmidt, Editor, Forward Day by Day,

Thank you both for your comments. It means a great deal to us to receive such comments from our readers. In December, we plan to expand out blog to allow for dialog with the authors themselves. Bless you both.

...

Oct 20, 2009 at 12:46 pm

Written by Christine Priestman,

I just finished responding to a meditation on another sight. There are no coincedences in God's economy. I am so refreshed to be reminded that all God's gifts to us are free. His mercy, grace, love and so on. I am rejoicing these days for I am also experiencing freedom in relationships. Freedom having to control others or being controlled by others. What a wonderful God. He initiated this freedom for me more than 2,000 years ago. And He is faithfully performing it today. Free gifts from God so we can live freely with one another in relationships. What a mighty God we serve!

...

Oct 20, 2009 at 12:51 pm

Written by Christine Priestman,

Sorry, Slip up. in my above statement It should read Freedom From having to control others. Thanks for the great comments.

...

Oct 20, 2009 at 7:23 pm

Written by Patrick,

Amen.

Write comment

Show/hide comment form

The History of Forward Movement:

Weary and Divided Church | The First Publication | Church Moves Forward | Name Change | The First Editor

Check out Lent Madness -- daily devotions with the saints that are fun and informative.

Download the new Readers' Guide for the February Forward Day by Day! Updated monthly.

Signup for e-news

10ways-to-pray Claim Your Free Gift Now! Simply subscribe to our e-news by using the form below. You will then be able to download our "Ten Ways to Pray" ebook!

Be sure to confirm your preferences and check your email after subscribing. The link to your free gift is found in your "Welcome" email.

Start a Subscription Prayer Chapel

Resources

Today's Meditation Podcast Día a Día (Spanish Version) Editor’s Notes Mobile Reading For Today A Morning Resolve How to Use Forward Day by Day Scripture Listings

Latest Meditations

Meditation Archives

January, 2012 December, 2011 November, 2011 October, 2011 September, 2011 August, 2011 July, 2011 June, 2011 May, 2011 April, 2011 March, 2011 February, 2011

Request a Catalog Make a Donation