Lent Devotional March 2, 2023

Lenten Devotional March 2, 2023

Scripture

Psalm 27

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh —
my adversaries and foes —
they shall stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.

4 One thing I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.

6 Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, do I seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
10 If my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will take me up.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence.

13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!

Devotional

The Rev. Erin M. Davenport ’05, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects

Refuge, sanctuary, safety: these are words that describe the desires of tired, worried humans. Whether it be looking for refuge at home from a busy chaotic world outside or finding sanctuary in the church building that you know so well, we are all seeking quiet and safety in our own ways. David illustrates this for us time and again in his life. Though the authorship of the Psalms is always in question, each time I read Psalm 27 I am transported to 1 Samuel 20-23, when David begins running from Saul. The first place David goes is the Tabernacle at Nob. David runs to a makeshift church to find refuge and safety from those who are attacking him. At the Tabernacle he finds the tools he needs for safety. From there his journey begins that will eventually lead to him becoming King. David’s desire, as he seeks refuge in the midst of trouble, is the same as ours. He is looking for safety; he is looking for God; he is looking for hope. The Psalmist reminds us that the journey of life is long and requires a great deal of waiting. It is in the waiting that we are able to find moments of refuge, receive the tools we need for safety, and go out and do it all over again.

Prayer

God our refuge, hear us as we pray this day. Help us to find rest and the tools we need for safety. Grant us willingness to offer grace and mercy to all those we encounter this day. Amen.

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