Dear God, I have a couple of important visits with people today. One is breakfast and one is lunch. Oh, God, speak to me and make me who you need me to be today. Help me to be discerning about when I should speak and when I shouldn’t. And help me figure out what to say.

So here are the verses today in Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

• AM Psalms: 75, 76
• PM Psalms: 23, 27
• Jeremiah 5:20-31
• John 7:1-13
• Romans 3:19-31

Dear God, I just have to start with this. I know it’s a PM psalm, but I came across something two years ago for the 23rd Psalm that I loved.

“Here in the Psalm” by Sally Fisher

I am a sheep
and I like it
because the grass
I lie down in
feels good and the still
waters are restful and right
there if I’m thirsty
and though some valleys
are very chilly there is a long
rod that prods me so I
direct my hooves
the right way
though today
I’m trying hard
to sit at a table
because it’s expected
required really
and my enemies—
it turns out I have enemies—
are watching me eat and
spill my drink
but I don’t worry because
all my enemies do
is watch and I know
I’m safe if I will
just do my best
as I sit on this chair
that wobbles a bit
in the grass
on the side of a hill.

“Here In The Psalm” by Sally Fisher from Good Question. © Bright Hills Press, 2016.

There is so much I like about this. First, it’s one thing to say you are my shepherd, but it’s another thing to own the identity as your helpless lamb: “I am a sheep and I like it.” Right off the bat, I am entering this common story through a different lens. Then, well, it’s just everything. Water is easy to reach. Protection from my enemies (it turns out I have enemies). Just lovely.

Now, for the other passages.

Psalm 75, 76 – These are just straight praise psalms. I try to picture their author, Asaph, writing them. Just writing down his worship of you. Amen.

Jeremiah 5:20-31 – Verses 30 and 31: “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?” It’s the line, “…and my people love it this way.” Oh, Father, help me to hear and seek your voice and your voice alone for my counsel and my authority. Yes, you put others in authority over me. Help me to discern when it is you speaking and when it is them. Help me to find joy in your commands and rest in your peace.

John 7:1-13 – What a story. Such open conflict between Jesus and his brothers. And the people didn’t know what to think of Jesus. But I can guarantee none of them thought he was eventually going to willingly be crucified as a sacrifice for them. Those who believed thought he was going to lead Israel. Those who didn’t thought he was a false prophet. I’m convinced that absolutely no one understood what was really going on. And Jesus’s brothers goading him was just another thing he had to deal with.

Romans 3:19-31 – “Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too…” Oh, thank you for the grace of including me in your family. As your child. Oh, thank you.

I offer you all of these things and the two meals I am having with others today as a sacrifice to you. Help me to do and say (or not say) whatever you need me to regardless of what it costs me.

I offer this prayer to you and my worship in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen