Eastertide

May 3, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
   do not let me ever be put to shame;
   in your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
   rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
   a strong fortress to save me.

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.

Jesus liked to quote scripture. He especially did it while hanging on the cross. He apparently leaned heavily on the Psalms. In pain and distress, he quoted Psalm 22, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? From the scripture above, he said Into your hand I commit my spirit. I do not know the Psalms as well as I should, but I do have a few on which I depend. Create in me a clean heart (Psalm 51:10) is one. Psalm 63:1-7 is another that is very meaningful. My life spans memorizing scripture from the King James translation through several other versions. I am locked into some. The lectern Bible at my church is NRSV, and I must be very careful reading the 23 Psalm because it is engraved in my mind in the KJV. I study using the NRSV, and my understanding of the Bible has been strengthened by the availability of more up-to-date sources and language usage.

What is ultimately important is our personal relationship with God.  The Bible is a tool to help us, particularly from the good and bad examples of God’s interaction with God’s people throughout history. It is an opportunity to learn from their experiences, just as our examples today are what our descendants in faith will consider as they interact with God.

Prayer: Lord, help us be good role models for your followers who come after us. 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.