Lent
March 2, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 32

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
else it will not stay near you.

Many are the torments of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. –Psalm 32

Remaining in sync with God is a constant job. It is necessary for us to be prepared for the times that try our souls. Living amidst a diversity of faiths and beliefs is a challenge and knowing how to respond to the concerns and needs of others is something one cannot prepare for in the heat of the moment. The Psalmist in our scripture today tells us that we must stay in good spiritual shape so that we can respond appropriately when necessary.

One of the sadist confrontations is when followers of Christ become confrontational in their self-defined mission to save other followers of Christ from the error of their way. What to one is a righteous call to “correct” another’s path is perceived as bullying and harassment by the other. And Jesus weeps.

We must work diligently at weaving the steadfast love of the Lord into the fiber of all our communications with one another and learn to drink the cup of righteousness together in love in spite of our differences.

Prayer: Lord forgive us when we preach your good news imperfectly. Instruct us in the way we should go and let the words of our mouths reflect your love. Amen.

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.