Post: Devotion for Tuesday 3-24-2020
Greetings my Friends!
During these ever changing times, I find hope and comfort in the Psalms. Today I want to share Psalm 27 and my devotion for the day. I also wanted to let you know we are going to try and hold the Wednesday Bible study by Zoom on Wednesday. If you would like to join in the study please email me back with your email or cell phone depending on how you are going to join. If you are using a computer/laptop with a camera then give me your email. If you are using your smart phone with camera, send me the number. You will need to download the free app Zoom. You can find it in your app store or go to Google Apps. I will start the meeting about 2:20 and wait for people to join and we will begin the study at 2:30. This will be a new and exciting way of gathering for Bible study.
Psalm 27
Of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
they shall stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.
6 Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 ‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face!’
Your face, Lord, do I seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
10 If my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will take me up.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence.
13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
When David is not talking directly to God in his psalms, he is usually talking to himself – speaking our affirmations of his faith so that his heart and soul can embrace the truths he’s hidden away in his mind. When our circumstances appear bleak, when God answers our prayers with “wait,” we can follow David’s example. He knows from his own past experience that God will bring about his own will in his own perfect time; reminding himself of this when times are tough gives him confidence and joy. When we are feeling uncertain or impatient about God’s activity in our lives or in the life of someone we love, we can repeat David’s affirmation and gain strength. If we meditate on the words of this psalm, we can give thanks to God. When we place our hope in him, we will never be disappointed.
Let us prayer – Oh God, where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope. Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance. Where impossibilities close every door and window, grant imagination and resistance. Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination. Where spirits are daunted and weakened, grant soaring wings and strengthened dreams. All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen (ELW p76)
Praying for you this day!
God’s Peace,
Pastor Sharon
