Acts 9:1-20Our Daily Devotions are based on the appointed texts in the Revised Common Lectionary. Each day (except Sunday) we will post a link to each of the texts on www.biblegateway.com and devotion based on those texts will follow. These devotions will generally be available after 11 PM on the day before.
Here are the appointed texts for this week (March 23-March 28)
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|
Psalm |
Older Testament |
Newer Testament |
|
Monday |
Psalm 146 |
Isaiah 59:9-19 |
Acts 9:1-20 |
|
Tuesday |
Psalm 146 |
Isaiah 42:14-21 |
Colossians 1:9-14 |
|
Wednesday |
Psalm 146 |
Isaiah 60:17-22 |
Matthew 9:27-34 |
|
Thursday |
Psalm 130 |
Ezekiel 1:1-3 & 2:8-3: 3 |
Revelation 10:1-11 |
|
Friday |
Psalm 130 |
Ezekiel 33:10-16 |
Revelation 11:15-19 |
|
Saturday |
Psalm 130 |
Ezekiel 36:8-15 |
Luke 24:44-53 |
Devotion for Monday, March 23, 2020
Trust.
Today’s devotion is based almost exclusively on Psalm 146. We will read this Psalm today, tomorrow and Wednesday. The Psalmist exhorts us (everyone, actually) to praise the Lord. The Psalmist commits to praise the Lord his whole life. This is a great way of life for each of us. Praising the Lord as long as we live and encouraging others to praise the Lord as well. The Psalmist also gives the advice to trust the Lord rather than any earthly powers. This is REALLY good advice.
If we adapt what the Psalmist says, we might hear this: Don’t think that the President, or the CDC, or the media, or your doctor, or a N95 mask can save you…rather, trust in the Lord. While we certainly need to heed the restrictions and guidelines put in place in order to protect ourselves and others, it is easy to become totally distressed by the information overload and the feeling of imminent doom. It is easy to become fearful, anxious, and obsessed with more and more information, more and more precautions, more and more self- or other-reliance.
In fact, our safety comes from the Lord. This does not mean put the Lord your God to the test. It is actually disobedient to put oneself at risk and expect the Lord to protect. But it does mean that we should remember that the Lord is watching over us. He watches over us when we are well and when we are ill; He watches over us when we are born, when we live and when we die.
The Lord sets us free when we become prisoners to fear or anxiety. The Lord opens our eyes when we can’t see others with compassion. The Lord lifts us up when we are bowed down because our children are home all day, or because we can no longer go out and visit, or when our plans are changed by governmental decree. The Lord watches over widows and orphans and strangers and you and me.
And how long will the Lord watch over us?
The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations. (verse 10)