Bible Readings and Devotion for September 10, 2020
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Devotion for September 10, 2020
By Pastor David Tinker
Life can be simply overwhelming at times. During this time of the COVID19 Pandemic often our feelings are amplified. This seems especially common with more negative, sad, or fearful feelings. I have heard from many people in various context that life in this time is just too much as they work through these amplified and challenging feelings.
At the same time, we are given powerful reassurance of God’s goodness for us in such times. We are not alone. We are not forsaken in these times. We are not left out in the cold and away from our Lord. In our reading from Psalm 31 we have one such assurance. We read from Psalm 31:21, “Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege.”
These times have felt like we are under siege. The world has always put pressure on the people of God. When there is added stress from any cause, the sense of siege on our lives increases. Into this, our Lord comes alongside us to carry us through. By the Word and Spirit we are given assurance that this too shall pass. No matter how long or what happens, the steadfast love of God is there for us. We are assured daily from the book of Romans 8:38-39, where St. Paul notes, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The presence of the Lord assures us in our darkest, loneliest, and most painful times that we have God’s support. It reminds us that can rely upon the Lord for strength to carry on. It reminds us that, as St. Peter reminds us, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). When life seems to be simply overwhelming at times, we can prayerfully release our burdensome and anxious feelings into God’s strong shoulders.
We do not have to navigate the struggles of life today on our own. With God’s steadfast love, the comfort of the Word of God, and the continued support of the Holy Spirit, we will live with God through this time.
Prayer
Eternal God, amid all the turmoil and changes of the world your love is steadfast and your strength never fails. In this time of danger and trouble, be to us a sure guardian and rock of defense. Guide the leaders of our nation with your wisdom, comfort those in distress, and grant us courage and hope to face the future; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
Martin Luther Lutheran Church 