19 March 2012

19 March 2012



"The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness"


We know that the LORD has made promises to us.  It seems like we always assume they are for mankind in general and not for us in particular.  We see these promises about posterity to Abraham and an heir to King David and we note them as interesting historical anecdotes.  We forget that in these 
promises the LORD is establishing a life line to each one of us individually.  


In spite of the infidelities upon infidelties of which our history tells, the LORD desires to make all peoples his family.  "It was not through the law" and could not be.  Such a gift can never be earned.  If it is left to our abilities we fall short.  Yet in the absence of the law of God's household how can we truly be his family?  That is why he continues to make his promise throughout the ages.  He raises up men like Abraham and David who strive to follow him.  Even  they fall short but the they realize that all blessings rest on the initiative of God's promise.


"It was not through the law
that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants
that he would inherit the world,
but through the righteousness that comes from faith."


Faith allows us to receive the promises of God as a gift while still making the efforts in our lives that love demands.  We won't be trying to earn our salvation.  We will be secure since we know that we are God's family.


"I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever."


We will have the confidence of Joseph who was obedient to the angel's words.  Did he thereby earn his place in the Holy Family?  No, but the trust he had in God was part of the path by which that family was realized.  In our daily lives the permanence of the God's kingdom can be a firm foundation for us.


Let us also say: "You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior."  He does not establish his
throne as a historical novelty.  He establishes it to bless us.  From it he welcomes us into his
family and, by his promises, gives us the confidence to live and abide in him.  We will know that his "kindness is established forever".