5:52 AM
"And lead me not into temptation?" Obviously the psalmist doesn't trust that he can resist temptation. In that, he is probably more honest than the rest of us.
The psalmist is praying that evildoers will not lead him astray; Jeremiah pleads, "Is there no balm in Gilead?" for his people who do not turn from their sins; and Paul (in Romans 5: 1-ll) "boasts" of Christ's love and His reconciliation for us with God.
"Is there no balm in Gilead?
And in John 8:12 "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
Rarely do the daily readings hang together like they do today, moving from the Psalms to the New Testament in a continuous thread from retribution to reconciliation, much like a story themselves.
The Forward writer (the prisoner) says, today, "It's beyond my understanding that you would not be reluctant to accept my interpretations on God, scripture and life in general... Who am I to write these meditations? No one, that's who. I've done the worst thing a person can do. Thank you for not holding that against me. You teach me about Jesus."
And I feel humbled by this incarcerated man who can still see and feel the love of Christ in that terrible place. In his meditations he shows me the faith and hope of Christ, and he sheds Christ's light on my own frailties.
"I was hungry and you fed me,
A dark morning; rain is predicted. Some thoughts on the daily readings.
that I may keep the
commandments of my
God." Psalm 119:115
Is there no physician there?
Why then has the health of my
poor people
not been restored?" Jeremiah 8:22
I was thirsty and you gave me drink.
I was in prison and you visited me."
Lord, I am often in a prison of my
own making;
this young man visits
me through his meditations,
Thank you, God, for his witness.
Amen
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