February 7 (Fifth after Epiphany) - Psalm 138
David gives you thanks, Lord, with his whole heart. Is that really possible unless, like him, we witness how you you have "exalted your word and your name above everything"? Somehow that makes sense. When you exalt your name above everything I feel too like giving thanks with my whole heart, And when I can witness with David that "on the day I called you answered me [and] increased my strength of soul" everything within me wants to give you thanks.
Sacred memory seems to be the key, Lord, doesn't it? Memories of your strong hand in the midst of our daily living, preserving us as you did David against all enemies and delivering us to fulfill your purpose for our lives.
Forgive me, Lord, for trying so hard by myself to be thankful, as if I had that power within me. Help me rather to look continually to the work of your hands until my soul comes alive with praise. Amen.
February 14 (Last after Epiphany, Transfiguration) - Psalm 99
We long, God, to see and know you as you are. We know that all those in Bible times who did experience your glory never looked directly on you, for no one can do so and live. Yet even the hint of your glorious presence would be enough to awaken our sense both of awe and praise.
What must it have been like for Peter, James, and John to see your Son transfigured before them on the mountain to which he had brought them? And what was it that so shook Moses in Old Testament times, or to your people traveling in the wilderness when you came among them in the pillar of cloud to deliver your statutes and guide their wanderings?
Come among us again, Lord, and show us your glory. Do not withhold your Holy Spirit from us. Reawaken in us rather the genuine sense of worship that comes only of your presence in the midst of your people, and the mighty acts by which you both guide and deliver them in the midst of daily life. Amen.
February 21 (First in Lent) - Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
What a great psalm this is, Lord, one that has been continuously comforting to your people since it was first written. To behold your glory around is one thing. But to experience it as comfort within is even more wonderful. To live "in the shelter of the Most High, and abide in the shadow of the Almighty." No wonder all who have experienced that say of you, Lord, that you are "my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust."
And why? Because making you our refuge and dwelling place we know that "no evil can befall us, no scourge come near our tent." Living in you changes things, Lord. Even things that would otherwise seem unbearable to us are overcome by the strong sense of your presence and purpose.
Thank you that you still command your angels concerning us, to guard us in all our ways. Thanks you for answering us when we call on you, for being with us in trouble, and thus both rescuing and honoring us, even satisfying us with long life. Amen.
February 28 (Second in Lent) - Psalm 27
How wonderful to see how the faith of the psalmist--believing that he shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (v.13)--grows out of living with you over time. Remind me today and through this week how central my relationship with you is to the sustaining of my faith in you.
Good friends over time, not on the same level of course, but friends nonetheless. You, Lord, deigning to reach out to me, and longing for me to reach out to you as well. How wise the psalmist to ask for one thing and one thing only, "to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple" (v. 4).
Continue to "teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path." And help me to wait for you in the midst of life's busyness, that I may indeed be strong and take courage in my heart. Amen.
