(1) Adonai is my light and salvation;
whom do I need to fear?
Adonai is the stronghold of my life;
of whom should I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assailed me
to devour my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
they stumbled and fell.
3 If an army encamps against me,
my heart will not fear;
if war breaks out against me,
even then I will keep trusting.
13 If I hadn’t believed that I would see
Adonai’s goodness in the land of the living, . . .
14 Put your hope in Adonai, be strong,
and let your heart take courage!
Yes, put your hope in Adonai!
Monday of Holy Week
Wait for the Lord with courage. (Psalm 27:14)
This is a week for waiting. As we recall Jesus’ final days, his final steps toward the cross, and his final words, we are all waiting for his final victory. However much we share in Jesus’ sufferings, however much we unite ourselves to his passion, everything is still colored by that victory. So the psalmist’s cry, “The Lord is my light and my salvation” is not just wishful thinking. It’s the very bedrock of our lives!
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? (Psalm 27:1) Not other people. Not those who are smarter, wealthier, or more powerful than I am. Not situations where I feel inadequate. Jesus, my Savior, is my light. The Father not only sent him to walk this earth as one like me; he also gave me his Spirit, who is always with me. Day or night, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, I have the light of the Lord to give me the knowledge and wisdom I need.
The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1) I don’t have to fear the circumstances of my life. Not wakeful, lonely nights or sorrowful vigils at a loved one’s sick bed. Not bitter exchanges with an agitated family member. Not exhausting battles with illness or with tired children. When loving and caring become too burdensome, Jesus promises to be my strength. He offers his constant presence as a refuge whenever the storms of life threaten to overwhelm.
Though war be waged upon me, even then will I trust. (Psalm 27:3) Because Jesus believed unshakably that God was on his side, he could take those final steps toward the cross. God is on my side, too! He is my strength and refuge. He is in control, even when all around me seems chaotic. He is the victor. Period. Jesus might not have seemed victorious as he proceeded to Jerusalem. Not as one of his disciples betrayed him for money. Not as he was mocked and whipped and nailed to a cross. Not as his life’s blood poured out. But he waited. He trusted. And he triumphed. And so can I!
“God, you are good. I will hold fast to this truth today. I believe that no matter what happens, you are for me.” Amen!Wait for the Lord with courage. (Psalm 27:14)
This is a week for waiting. As we recall Jesus’ final days, his final steps toward the cross, and his final words, we are all waiting for his final victory. However much we share in Jesus’ sufferings, however much we unite ourselves to his passion, everything is still colored by that victory. So the psalmist’s cry, “The Lord is my light and my salvation” is not just wishful thinking. It’s the very bedrock of our lives!
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? (Psalm 27:1) Not other people. Not those who are smarter, wealthier, or more powerful than I am. Not situations where I feel inadequate. Jesus, my Savior, is my light. The Father not only sent him to walk this earth as one like me; he also gave me his Spirit, who is always with me. Day or night, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, I have the light of the Lord to give me the knowledge and wisdom I need.
The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1) I don’t have to fear the circumstances of my life. Not wakeful, lonely nights or sorrowful vigils at a loved one’s sick bed. Not bitter exchanges with an agitated family member. Not exhausting battles with illness or with tired children. When loving and caring become too burdensome, Jesus promises to be my strength. He offers his constant presence as a refuge whenever the storms of life threaten to overwhelm.
Though war be waged upon me, even then will I trust. (Psalm 27:3) Because Jesus believed unshakably that God was on his side, he could take those final steps toward the cross. God is on my side, too! He is my strength and refuge. He is in control, even when all around me seems chaotic. He is the victor. Period. Jesus might not have seemed victorious as he proceeded to Jerusalem. Not as one of his disciples betrayed him for money. Not as he was mocked and whipped and nailed to a cross. Not as his life’s blood poured out. But he waited. He trusted. And he triumphed. And so can I!
Isaiah 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I support,
my chosen one, in whom I take pleasure.
I have put my Spirit on him;
he will bring justice to the Goyim.
2 He will not cry or shout;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
3 He will not snap off a broken reed
or snuff out a smoldering wick.
He will bring forth justice according to truth;
4 he will not weaken or be crushed
until he has established justice on the earth,
and the coastlands wait for his Torah.”
5 Thus says God, Adonai,
who created the heavens and spread them out,
who stretched out the earth and all that grows from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk on it:
6 “I, Adonai, called you righteously,
I took hold of you by the hand,
I shaped you and made you a covenant for the people,
to be a light for the Goyim,
7 so that you can open blind eyes,
free the prisoners from confinement,
those living in darkness from the dungeon.
John 12:1 Six days before Pesach, Yeshua came to Beit-Anyah, where El‘azar lived, the man Yeshua had raised from the dead; 2 so they gave a dinner there in his honor. Marta served the meal, and El‘azar was among those at the table with him. 3 Miryam took a whole pint of pure oil of spikenard, which is very expensive, poured it on Yeshua’s feet and wiped his feet with her hair, so that the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of the talmidim, Y’hudah from K’riot, the one who was about to betray him, said, 5 “This perfume is worth a year’s wages! Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?” 6 Now he said this not out of concern for the poor, but because he was a thief — he was in charge of the common purse and used to steal from it. 7 Yeshua said, “Leave her alone! She kept this for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
9 A large crowd of Judeans learned that he was there; and they came not only because of Yeshua, but also so that they could see El‘azar, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 The head cohanim then decided to do away with El‘azar too, 11 since it was because of him that large numbers of the Judeans were leaving their leaders and putting their trust in Yeshua.
____________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment