Wash Yourself

I have GOT to stop reading the Book of Jeremiah. That thing's filled with nothing but bad news. No wonder they call him The Crying Prophet. And then, as if THAT'S not enough, Lamentations is up next. Woo Hoo!

What is your favorite book of the Bible for encouragement? Romans? The Psalms? John?

Before I dive into that exciting book of Lamentations, I'm going to spend some time reading the Songs of Ascent (Psalm 120-134). Here's a listing, along with a description. They used to sing these songs on their way up to the temple from The Pool of Siloam (discovered in 2004 and excavated).

Psalm 120: God’s presence during distress

Psalm 121: Joyful praise to the Lord

Psalm 122: Prayer for Jerusalem

Psalm 123: Patience for God’s mercy

Psalm 124: Help comes from the Lord

Psalm 125: Prayer for God’s blessing upon His people

Psalm 126: The Lord has done great things

Psalm 127: God’s blessing on man’s efforts

Psalm 128: Joy for those who follow God’s ways

Psalm 129: A cry for help to the Lord

Psalm 130: A prayer of repentance

Psalm 131: Surrender as a child to the Lord

Psalm 132: God’s sovereign plan for His people

Psalm 133: Praise of brotherly fellowship and unity

Psalm 134: Praise to God in His temple

Let's see . . . how about Psalm 130 . . .

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;

Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive

to my cry for mercy. 

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,

Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness,

so that we can, with reverence, serve you. 

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,

and in his word I put my hope.

I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning,

more than watchmen wait for the morning. 

Israel, put your hope in the Lord,

for with the Lord is unfailing love

and with him is full redemption.

He himself will redeem Israel

from all their sins.

That worked for me. How about you?

Whenever our minds get filled up with the news, election results, wars and rumors of wars, we need to remember that God is in control. He rescues us in times of trouble. If we call out to the Lord, He will answer.

Have a good week out there, brothers and sisters. Jesus is coming soon.

“Go,” He told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing." - John 9:7