Lenten Devotion for Thursday, March 11

Today's lessons:

Psalm 32

Joshua 4:1-13

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5

Author:

Rev. Timothy Kenyon

Pastor, St. John Lutheran Church, Peru, IL

Part-time Assistant to the Bishop for the South Conference

Theme verses:

Psalm 32:7 - You are a hiding-place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.

Meditation:

A sign clearly posted on the weight room wall of the college gymnasium stated: “Do Not Attempt to Lift Barbells without Assistance.”

As a first semester freshman in college, I interpreted this as a special invitation to engage in some “light” weight-lifting not to exceed 120 lbs. While reclining upon the weight-lifting bench, I began to clench my hands around the bar lifting the weight ever so slightly upward.

I was pleased and delighted with my progress.

Straining, stretching, and groaning added to the overall experience; but, my celebration was short-lived. I could no longer sustain the weight. It was at that point that an experienced lifter nearby intervened and performed the rescue. More than somewhat embarrassed, I briefly thanked my rescuer and headed back to the dormitory less jubilant than I had hoped for.

How easy it is to disobey words of warning that have been posted and given by God in love. How easy it is to forget to give thanks or choose not to say thanks to the “rescuer”. What is so amazing is that God, in Psalm 32, not only chooses to go so far as to rescue and preserve us from sin, but chooses to join in the celebration with “glad cries of deliverance.”

Prayer:

Gracious God, not only do you bring loving words of warning to keep us safe, but you come to us as rescuer in our times of ambition and waywardness. Keep our hearts open to your will that our foolishness may not keep others from experiencing your desire to save and rescue all who are weighed down by the powers of sin. Thank you, for embracing us and lifting us upward with songs of gladness and joy. Amen.