Lenten Devotion for Saturday, March 20

Today's lessons:

Psalm 126

Exodus 12:21-27

John 11:45-57

Author:

Nicole Billips

member, First Lutheran Church DeKalb

NIS Lutheran Youth Organization President

Theme verses:

Psalm 126

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.

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.

Meditation:

I recently got the new Lutheran study Bible at the National Gathering this year in New Orleans. And, being the complete Lutheran nerd that I am, I think it's AWESOME!

Now I'm not just writing this devotion to rave about this splendid Bible but to share with you the subtitle under the Psalm on the page. It reads "A Harvest of Joy." This song speaks about the joy that we receive from God's restoration of our fortunes.

The opening states " the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion" it is referring to the return of exiles from Babylon, the restoration of the people to their lands. It then discusses the joy that God's children recieve from his love and restoration and prays for the restoration of their fortunes.

When I think of the word restoration, I think of a renewal or rebuilding of something. It's like God is clicking that little "refresh the page" button on our faith URL's (yeah... I'm a computer nerd too...).

Our God is a God of love and joy. When we show joy in him he shows joy in us. What a great feeling!

Sometimes we all might need that little refresher, sometimes we need to refresh our faith profiles. I know that at my age (yes the ripe old age of 18) I need that refresher of my fortunes, that refresher of my faith. There is so much out there that can distract or take away from our faith lives and we sometimes need a refresher to remember the bigger picture and to reconnect to the joy of God's grace.

I consider my fortunes to be my blessings that God has given me and sometimes I forget those blessings. But, it just takes a little thing or time to step out of the normal droll of life to look and realize my joys and blessings and to restore my joy and faith in God.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Do you need some restoration? Where can you possibly work as a restorer for others? Give a little shout out to the big man upstairs. Chances are he can work to build you back up and put joy in your heart once again. I know that he has for me!

Prayer:

Gracious God, As we all go through out our days and weeks, see where we might need to be restored. In our faiths, in our health, or in any parts in our lives, be with us and refresh us. Help us Lord to also work as restorers for others. Work through us so that we may help others that may need a refresher in their faiths. Help us to be good role models so that others may see the joy that we have in and with you. We thank you for all that you give us and for the Harvest of Joy. Bless all that are in our hearts and in our lives. In your heavenly name we pray. Amen.