Trinity Lutheran Church

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Psalm 32:1

Blessed in the Light of Forgiveness

God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). This verse describes how God is pure, having no darkness of sin. He does not deceive or lie; He is consistent with the demands He places on His creation; His love is perfect; He never tempts man or spirit to do evil.

But John’s first epistle also informs us that if we say we have not sinned, we not only lie but are also calling God a liar. Every human being is on a path of darkness—yet this epistle says we can walk in the light! How we can walk in light is further explained in verse 7, wherein the apostle describes how “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Then, we are informed that Jesus “is the propitiation [atoning sacrifice] for . . . the sins of the whole world” (2:2). Simply put, we who are on sin’s path of darkness are given the blessed light of forgiveness. We are forgiven before God because Jesus is the atoning sacrifice, and in our Baptism, the blood of that atoning sacrifice cleanses us from all sin. This is a most profound blessing—we have the light of forgiveness!
Jesus, we praise You for creating and distributing forgiveness so we now can walk in light.
Amen.
Daily Devotion via Portals of Prayer
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They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
Psalm 14:3

There Is None Who Does Good

The first verse of Psalm 14 presents the foolishness of denying God’s existence. In that verse, the Holy Spirit states, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ ” Failure to believe in God’s existence is truly foolish.

As we continue reading the psalm, we observe God looking from heaven to see if there are any who understand and seek Him. The answer shocks us: “They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:3). We are tempted to think, “What about me, God; aren’t I pretty good?” Paul uses Psalm 14 to answer this question: “No one does good.” And then Paul emphatically adds, along with the psalmist, “Not even one” (Romans 3:12).

In his failure to do good, the psalmist longs for deliverance: “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!” (Psalm 14:7). Indeed, what the psalmist longed for has come! In Jesus, God has restored the fortunes of His people, giving them the gift of righteousness—even though there is none who does good! Thus it is that believers in Jesus, though not good in and of themselves, are in Christ called “the generation of the righteous” (Psalm 14:5).
Lord Jesus, we praise You that in Your cross and empty tomb, You declare us righteous.
Amen.
Daily Devotion via Portals of Prayer
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