April 3 - Trust in the midst of despair

Contributed by David Janzen, director of human resources on Tuesday April 03

Scripture

Psalm 31:9-16 (Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29) Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also. 10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away. I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. For I hear the whispering of many-- terror all around!-- as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life. But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O LORD! O LORD, we beseech you,give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches,up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Prayer for the week from Builder My God, whose steadfast love endures forever, open to me the gates of righteousness that may enter and give thanks. I come with praise and thanksgiving, for you have called me home. Continue to guide me on my journey, and may your presence increase in my life. Amen.

Devotion

The call from Illinois disturbed a relatively peaceful afternoon in our family services center located in an Elkhart housing project. A woman we had helped move out of an abusive relationship was on the phone telling me she had taken an overdose of pills – she feared she would die.

How does one lend a vision of hope to the depressed, rejected, and abused members of our communities?

Many of the Psalms swing back and forth between despair and faith, anger and serenity. David especially drew on his deep, intensely honest relationship with God when he felt most alone and vulnerable.

Jesus modeled this radical trust in God’s love despite hostile opposition and faint-hearted followers. On the cross, he cried out in agony asking if God had abandoned him while submitting to the sacrifice required.

Lent brings an invitation to find or renew trust in God’s care in times of weakness and grief. The building of this trust can be a slow process that requires we acknowledge our doubts and fears.

As we learn to see beyond our immediate circumstances, we can offer ourselves to those who carry heavier loads, speaking with sincerity the closing words of Psalm 31: “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

goshen college | campus ministries | devotions | lent2001