Lent 2014
April 1, 2014 

Read Scripture: Psalm 146 

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith for ever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry. — Psalm 146:5-7 

The word translated in our scripture today as “Happy” is the Hebrew world esher derived from ashar. It may also be translated as “blessed” meaning “made holy or consecrated” when used as an adjective. When used as a noun it refers to those who live with God. Now that is a most sacred arrangement. Do we lean on God? Is our hope centered in the Lord who created heaven and earth and all that in is them? Do we trust that God does keep faith with us forever? If we buy into these promises then we must surely realize that God is executing justice for the oppressed and providing food for the hungry. God also, I believe, envisions us as being God’s partners in bringing about justice for the oppressed and feeding the hungry. 

Make no mistake, a ministry invested in quality education for all is a ministry of justice. Food for the mind most often undergirds food for the body. As I write this the federal government is debating the pros and cons of raising the minimum wage. Projections are that as many as 900,000 people will be lifted out of poverty as a result of the proposed wage increase. While I believe that figure to be true, many of those people will not see an increase in available resources because they will incur a loss of food stamps resulting in modest or no increase in spending power. Increasing the minimum wage is a good first step and I do support it. But the real challenge going forward is raising the income levels of all people to a living wage that is well above the minimum wage. One of the most important ways of transitioning people into living wage jobs is to provide them the necessary training to acquire higher paying jobs. 

With the aging of our population the need for health care providers at all levels is being challenged right now.  Many of these jobs pay good salaries and benefits. An 18 month or two year course of study could be the avenue for many to become licensed practical nurses or registered nurses. Before a student can even consider taking advantage of such training, they must have a very good basic understanding of math and science, and that starts in elementary school. 

Prayer: Lord, are you calling me to be a math or science tutor? Amen.

The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.