Psalm 116
My Chains are Gone!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, August 15.
During my first two decades of pastoral ministry, I have buried a lot of people whom I love and respect – the saints of Jesus’ church. Psalm 116:15-16 captures my imagination of what it must be like for those brethren who have entered their eternal rest, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones. O Lord, surely I am Your servant, I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid, You have loosed my bonds.” Often, when I conduct funeral services, I read this passage in its context, starting with verse 12 and concluding in verse 19. Take time to read and experience what a beautiful liturgy it is – a call and response of God’s salvation for us and our commitments to Him.
You can experience rest in this life when you learn to live today in the truth of God’s promise for eternity. Years before her passing, Carole Hiatt, one of our dearly beloved saints shared with me that Psalm 116:7 was her life-rhythm verse, “Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” How much more has she experienced the fulness of this promise now that God has loosed the bonds of her mortal body!? She has been freed from her chains, as the NIV translates verse 16, and as Chris Tomlin’s popular chorus of Amazing Grace states. Have you put your faith and hope in Jesus Christ to rescue you from the chains of sin and death?
Seize the moment and pray Psalm 116, meditating upon God’s amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. Live freely from sin and the fear of death because Jesus has loosed your bonds so that you may experience rest for your soul for eternity and in the unforced rhythms of God’s grace today (Matthew 11:28-30).
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.