Lent

March 3, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 19

The law of the Lord is perfect,
   reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
   making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
   rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
   enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure,
   enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
   and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
   even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
   and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is your servant warned;
   in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
   Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
   do not let them have dominion over me.   and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
   be acceptable to you,
   O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. –Psalm 19:7-14

I am nearsighted, farsighted and have a bad astigmatism. I have not seen anything clearly without the help of contacts or glasses at least since I was eleven years old and failed the eye test given at my school. When I read the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; I know those laws would not be enlightening to my eyes without the aid of my glasses. God’s commandments are made clear only when they are understood through the lens of God’s love for all people, including me. For me that corrective vision is provided through the life, death, resurrection, and ultimately example of Jesus.

Further down in this scripture we read the words Clear me from hidden faults. Many of our hidden faults are caused by following the worldview of our times rather than the wisdom and love of God.

Prayer: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,   O Lord, my rock and my redeemer 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.