Eastertide

May 6, 2020

Scripture Reading: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
   for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
   for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
   You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful 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 31:3-5, 15-16

While I have questioned at times my reasoning in basing these daily devotions on the lectionary, I realize it forces me to read scriptures I might not have otherwise. I am continually amazed at finding how often Jesus quoted from the Psalms. Into your hand I commit my spirit.

The negative side of using the lectionary is that it does not include all the scriptures, and a group of some others determined what is important and what is not. Just as I chose not to quote the entire Psalm above designated for this week.

Those thoughts lead me to deal with the words: My times are in your hand. I note that he Psalmist used the plural form of the word “time.” The Psalmist is not talking about my efficient use of time but rather is addressing what is going on in the world that impacts my life. Everyone must deal with the world we inherit; everyone is charged with creating the world we leave our descendants. We do not get to start with a clean slate.

Hard times over which we are trying to gain some kind of control offer opportunities for positive change and opportunities as with the Israelites for exile. What if the phrase read, God’s times are in our hands. As Christ-followers we are called to create with the Lord a world ruled by God’s love. We need to take that opportunity now.

Prayer:
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.
Melt us, mold us, fill us, use us,
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us*. Amen.

*http://gospelyrics.blogspot.com/2007/09/spirit-of-living-god.html

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.