Lent
March 13, 2019
Scripture Reading: Psalm 27
Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence.
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord! –Psalm 27:11-14
Who is right and who is not? When I was a senior in high school, my little rural school was seriously considering consolidation with our arch rival school located six miles away. Most of the students that that would be the end of the world. After graduation I went to college and quickly learned how the limitations of my school impacted my college experience. My best friend tested out of ten hours of German when she enrolled. My school offered no foreign language. She also was a math major and went directly into more advanced math classes because she had had the preparatory classes in high school. I was not a math major, but I would not have had the background for it had I wanted to pursue it. The consolidation took place and the school now offers advanced courses in several areas. I was allowing my emotions and my allegiances take the place of what was the right thing to do.
We may be our own worst adversaries an do not even know it. One of the ways the Lord teaches us the Lord’s way is to help us face realities we do wish did not exists. God can help us search our hearts and minds and come to grips with the situations we face. We are strengthened when we dismantle the barriers, we create for ourselves. Having dealt with our challenges we are more able to deal with external adversaries. Trusting in God to guide us we can expect the goodness of the Lord in our lives.
Prayer: Lord, create in us clean hearts opening our hearts and minds to following your ways. Amen.