The Oasis - March 9, 2022
Author: Rev. Eric Dupee
March 09, 2022
I wanted to make one more invite to join me for a discussion of the daily devotionals in our 2022 Lenten Devotional produced with contributions from our members and friends. We gather on Zoom tonight and each Wednesday during Lent at 7pm here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84928417363?pwd=YmE4MTZiMUlOQWJtdWdsblp5b1JEQT09
Meeting ID: 849 2841 7363 Passcode: 537903
On Sunday we had 15 people gathered in Fellowship Hall for a discussion on the devotional, so feel free to join the in-person group on Sunday immediately after worship if that time works better for you.
Like many of you, I’m very troubled by what I see in the news. In Bible study today, we talked about the invasion of Ukraine and expressed our distress over the destruction and suffering. We looked at Psalm 27, the passage Pastor Dan plans to use in worship on Sunday. It is a lament, a passionate expression of grief or sorrow, which is exactly what I needed this morning. Sometimes you just have to shout, “How long, O God? How long must suffering and death be endured?”
The psalmist wrote, “Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence. I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” As terrible as the situation is in Ukraine, I’m looking for signs of the “goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
Perhaps nations uniting in order to stand against violence is such a sign. Maybe the ordinary people that are trying to get aid to the wounded and hungry are a sign of the goodness of the Lord. Maybe the surrounding nations gladly taking in refugees is such a sign.
Holy God, hear our prayers for all those who will die today because of war in Ukraine and other war-torn countries all over this world. Grant them an end to the suffering of this world and eternal peace that is only found in You.
-from the United Church of Christ website
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