Read: Psalm 51

Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
-Psalm 51:10

When I was a small child, a Sunday school teacher told us that Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus, because she had been so good all her life. In my child’s mind, and in a circular way of thinking, I thought that if I were very good all the time, I might also get to be Jesus’ mother. From then on, I was as good as I could be, so I was very easy to bring up, and a delight to classroom teachers. I couldn’t understand why others thought it was so difficult to follow rules and behave as one should.

Then as I grew into adulthood, I began to find it more difficult not to sin. Or maybe I was just more aware of all the ways I could hurt others and God. God once forgave me for what I thought was an unforgivable sin, and I then understood my need for God to keep me on the straight path. I couldn’t do it on my own.

The psalmist was way ahead of me, knowing deeply how easy it is to sin, and how only God can cleanse us and set us on the right path. Most of us try not to hurt others or to do what is wrong, but, oh, how we fail. Our loving God, however, is so ready to forgive us and welcome us into God’s warm, loving embrace. Then, having been forgiven and cleansed, we can go forth again, trying to do what is right in God’s sight.

Oh, Lord, thank you for always being ready to forgive us and to lift us up into your loving arms. Without you, we cannot be whole, but with your grace, we can try always to do what is right and good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
-Penny Worrell

We are approaching the one year anniversary of the pandemic hitting the state of Washington, and many of us are still keeping a strict quarantine. Some of us have gotten the first COVID vaccine while others are not eligible for another few months. Many of us have only seen our extended family on a computer screen, and we are craving hugs and time spent in person. For others, everything just feels heavy and grayish right now, and they aren’t thinking about giving things up for Lent right now because this pandemic feels like the Lentiest Lent that ever Lented.

I have found that the Book of Psalms speaks to me in times like this because at least a third of the book contains psalms of lament. These psalms start off complaining and petitioning the Lord to end the persecution, illness, pain, or captivity involved before ending by praising some aspect of God’s power. For me, it’s a reminder that things do get better and that my suffering (or the suffering of others) is temporary. I am also reminded that I can praise God in every situation… “even when it hurts”.

This devotional book gives you a psalm to read daily, a reflection on some aspect of it, and a prayer at the end. I hope that the psalms give you words to pray and remind you of the promise that God will deliver us from adversity.
Blessings to you.
-Jen McCabe

Here are the files in case you want to download them onto an e-reader or print them.

Regular
Large-Print Version

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