Friday 8 March

Psalm 81, Hosea 14:2-10,Mark 12:28-34

Rejoice and remember

Psalm 81 is a song of celebration. The psalmist reminds the people of God’s call, using words that echo earlier parts of the Old Testament – the Shema and the Ten Commandments. But instead of a stern lecture about their sin and its consequences, the psalmist speaks of God’s affectionate longing for his people. “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it” ... ‘“f my people would but listen” ... “You would be fed” ... “I would satisfy you”. These verses express the heart of a God of love and grace whose mercies are new every morning.