Saturday 11th April | Helen Cooke
Readings
Reflection
On reading Psalm 142, I was struck by the parallels between the Psalmist’s situation and our own. In these times, I have found myself not knowing what to pray and simply crying out to the Lord for mercy. I have felt isolated and lonely as the Psalmist does. I have felt that I cannot see a way through. However, this Psalm shows we can be encouraged that God knows our way. He is our refuge and our portion, and no virus, however virulent, can steal that away. We can be sure that he does hear our cries and that he will deliver us, even when answers and certainty about our situation seem elusive.
It can be tempting, given the gravity of the events that we find ourselves in, to try to interpret them or attempt to find a deeper meaning. John shows Jesus’ faithfulness in being true to his word, which the disciples realise after his death and resurrection. Jesus’ answer to the Jews: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up”, may have seemed difficult to interpret at the time he said this. However, in the light of his death and resurrection, it makes complete sense and demonstrates he is completely trustworthy. Though events are indeed difficult to make sense of now, we can be confident in the light of eternity that God’s good plan has not gone awry, and that all things will ultimately be made right in Christ.
Therefore, we should be encouraged, as Hosea instructs us, to:
…press on to know the Lord;
His going out is sure as the dawn;
He will come to us as the showers,
As the spring rains that water the earth.
Prayers
Father God, thank you that you are our refuge in this time of uncertainty and isolation. Thank you that your word shows you to be completely trustworthy, even when we don’t understand. Keep us close to you and help us to get to know you better through these difficult times. Please give us opportunities to show your love to those who are hurting, and to tell the reason for the hope that we have. Amen.
Collect
Grant, Lord
That we who are baptized into the death of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ
May continually put to death our evil desires and be buried with him;
And that through the grave and gate of death
We may pass to our joyful resurrection;
Through his merits,
Who died and was buried and rose again for us,
Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
