Monday, April 1, 2019

Monday of Lent 4



Monday of Lent 4 – April 1, 2019 – Psalm 142:5

I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”


This is David’s prayer for rescue. The Lord is the One who sustains and preserves  David’s life. We place our confidence in Him for He is the one who preserves us.
Many mistakenly place unrealistic expectations on others thinking the right friend, the right co-worker the right boss, the right teammate the perfect roommate will make them happy, successful, fulfilled. Soon they become sorrowfully disappointed when expectations are not met. If you are putting expectations on a person to fill you; you will fail. Instead, you will find yourself alone and lost. There is only one who will never fail you. There is only one who will never abandon you. Trust Christ and Him alone. You can trust Jesus to hold you when you are broken-hearted. He alone is your rock and refuge! 
Jesus, Refuge of the weary,
Blest Redeemer, whom we love,
Fountain in life's desert dreary,
Savior from the world above,
Oh, how oft Thine eyes, offended,
Gaze upon the sinner's fall!
Yet, upon the cross extended,
Thou didst bear the pain of all.[1]
Collect for Psalm 142: Lord Jesus, hanging on the cross and left alone by Your disciples, You called on Your Father with a mighty cry as You gave up Your spirit. Deliver us from the prison of affliction, and by Yourself our inheritance in the land of the living, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit You are blessed now and forever.[2] 
O Lord our God, in Your Holy Sacraments you have given us a foretaste of the good things of Your kingdom: Direct us, we pray, in the way that leads to eternal life, that we may come to appear before You in that place of light where You dwell forever with Your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[3]
T



[1] Jesus Refuge of the Weary, stanza one The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[2] For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and By the Church Vol. II © 1995 by the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

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