Words from the Weary Wilderness - Lenten Journey First Sunday
posted on March 03
The First Sunday in Lent - Sunday, March 6
Our First Little Easter
The Sundays of Lent are not considered in the count of the season’s 40 days. Sundays are for celebrating the resurrection on each phase of life’s journey. During Lent we have several “Little Easters” to refresh us along our way. We will read the Psalm appointed for each Sunday in Lent in 2022.
Read: Psalm 91
Assurance of God’s Protection
1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence;
4 he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
or the arrow that flies by day,
6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
or the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
the Most High your dwelling place,
10 no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder,
the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
14 Those who love me, I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
16 With long life I will satisfy them,
and show them my salvation.
Today’s Word from the Weary Wilderness: You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)
Reflection: We place a great deal of emphasis upon where we live. While we obsess over cities and neighborhoods, others are simply praying for a night of relative peace. The Israelites longed for their true home instead of slavery in a foreign land like Egypt. While we often use addresses and zip codes to describe our homes, the Psalm reminds us of our true residence: “in the shelter of the most high … the shadow of the Almighty.” How would your life look different if you practiced a greater awareness of residing in and with God, instead of on a certain place on a map, or with certain people you have chosen as neighbors? Consider who else might reside with you in the beautiful shelter and safe shadow of God’s presence. You may live with more (and different) people than you think.
Prayer: God of the Wilderness, on this Little Easter we turn joyfully to the Psalms to celebrate that we have a home with you. We pray for those fleeing from their homes for any reason. May they find safety and friendship, perhaps even by our own aid. May it be so on this Little Easter and every day.
Blessings of Peace and Health,
Bev
Rev. Beverly B. Coppley
District Superintendent
& Chief Missional Strategist
