Lent 2014
April 12, 2014

 Read Scripture: Psalm 31:9-16 

But I trust in you, O Lord;
   I say, ‘You are my God.’
My times are in your hand;
   deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
   save me in your steadfast love.  — Psalm 31:14-16 

Having been reared on a farm away from exterior sources of light, I was accustomed to waking up in total blackness until I went to college and encountered hall lights and street lights. A week ago or so, I was awakened by an unfamiliar loud repeated beeping noise. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in total blackness for the first time in many years. Somewhat stunned, I flashed back to my childhood as I carefully began to feel for the flashlight that I keep by my bed. Finding it, I started first in search of the noise, which was the battery backup on my computer in the next room. I then tried to assess why my electricity was off and realized looking outside that the whole neighborhood was black including those street lights. I called the electric company and returned to the warmth of my bed. 

This season of prayer we are currently observing regarding the best way we can love our neighbors at Putnam Heights Elementary school is really a prayer for illumination.  When the Psalmist in our scripture today prays Let your face shine upon your servant, he is asking God to shine God’s light on his world to save him from his enemies. He wants to stop stumbling around in the dark. We are asking God to shine God’s light on Putnam Heights Elementary and on us so that we can better understand our purpose and its challenges. 

The first verse is the key to the request. The Psalmist declares his trust in God and confesses his total commitment to God as his God. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday when Jesus will be welcomed with the waving of palm branches and loud hosannas. Our commitment will be tested this week as we move through the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. So today, let us bask in God’s illumination in preparation of our coming journey. 

Prayer: El Shaddai, God Almighty you are our God, shine you light on us as we move through Holy Week. Strengthen us. Awaken us. 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.