Lent
March 9, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 126

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
   like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
   reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
   bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
   carrying their sheaves. –Psalm 126:4-6

What are our fortunes that we wish God to restore? The request to restore suggests that what we are asking for is something that God has provided before. Perhaps it also implies these were fortunes we knew before we turned away from God and God’s understanding of what is a fortune. I do not think the Psalmist is talking about winning the lottery or even becoming amazingly wealthy in our business ventures or investments. What would make you feel you were fortunate?

I am blessed everyday by knowing that God loves me and I have a loving family, share in a wonderful faith community, and experience the joy of loving others. The world for me would be bleak without music even if it is just running around in my head. Sunny days and gorgeous sunsets remind me of God’s presence. I live in a nation that assures me the right to worship God as befits my relationship with the Lord. In my retirement, I have enough material resources to meet my basic needs.

The thing most missing in my life that makes me unfortunate is that everyone cannot list these same blessing. Justice and oneness and wholeness for all God’s children is the missing fortune in my life. How can any of us fully appreciate a sunny day until all of us can?

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.*

Prayer: Lord, guide us to seek your justice so that all can sing because they are free and happy. Amen.

*Chorus to I Sing Because I’m Happy words by Civilla D. Martin. See at http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/i/hiseyeis.htm

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.