Daily Devotions are published Tuesday-Saturday during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Psalms 113
Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord;
praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time on and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust,
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
Devotion
Heavy on my heart right now is the impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable populations of our community. Reading the news that food banks are struggling to keep up with demand as food insecure families are impacted by lost wages and unemployment breaks my heart. I feel a sense of helplessness and a lot of guilt for being one of the lucky ones to have comforts at a time when many do not.
During Lent, I wrote about intentionally turning to God in prayer and how, as I learned to pray more, I felt a calm and safeness. So, I try now to turn my heart and mind to the Lord to pray for those who face incredible hardship. Psalm 113 tells us that the Lord “raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.” That gives me so much hope. But it also teaches me to act as he teaches. To not just read the news, but to act by offering prayers, support, and a lending hand in any way I can.
“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord.” And through worship every Sunday with this incredible community, I remember that because of him, there is no reason to be afraid. And that gives me strength and courage – and an understanding that I am not completely helpless in this moment – because I can help those in need, I can take action, and I can pray to the Lord for the resilience that we all need in these extremely tough moments. With him by my side, I can do anything.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I praise you. I praise the name of the Lord. You give me strength and courage, clarity and vision, and a will to carry on and help others as you help those around you – because of you, we shall not be afraid now or in the future. Amen.
Deirdre Ramsey