Dear God, it’s voting day and I am here a little extra early so I can go vote before work. I’m not so much worried about the national or state-wide elections, but more the local elections (sheriff, state representative, county attorney, etc.). Whatever happens today, I put my faith in you and not the candidates who win or lose. You are my God. They are not.

I visited with a friend last night who is having marital problems. We’ve been talking about the same thing for years. Honestly, and maybe I was wrong about this, but I couldn’t help but wonder if both of them wouldn’t be better off without each other. It was a hard conversation for me, and I am not sure I did or said the right things. Please guide my friend through this process. And while I’m praying for others, I want to mention a deacon at our church and his wife. He is facing a grave health situation, and I pray that you will care for him and comfort him. Please comfort his wife and care for her as well through your body.

Here are the passages for today from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

• AM Psalm: 78:1-39
• PM Psalm: 78:40-72
• Jeremiah 7:21-34
• John 7:37-52
• Romans 4:13-25

Psalm 78 (I’m just going to do the whole psalm this morning since I always neglect reading the PM psalm in the evening) – This is an interesting history for Israel up through David. I wonder if they sang this or just read it as poetry. I’m always fascinated that the Israelite historians capture at least most of the bad with the good. I don’t know what they left out, but what they included in the bad is impressively bad (including David impregnating a woman and killing her husband). Thank you for this gift.

Jeremiah 7:21-34 – More negative storytelling about the Israelites. But poor Jeremiah. Oh, how my life is so much better than his. I do feel bad for prophets like him and Hosea who had to live truly sacrificial lives. It’s amazing what they had to endure. Why do I ever complain? You have been so good to me.

John 7:37-52 – First, I’ll go back to what I said yesterday about everyone disagreeing about who Jesus was, but, in the end, they were all wrong. No one understood who he was–even those who believed he was the Messiah. Second, here’s our second Nicodemus story. Our little closet Jesus follower also had no idea what Jesus was about to do, but when Jesus is crucified Nicodemus will step up and show his love for Jesus in an amazing way.

Romans 4:13-25 – “[Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Thank you.

Father, walk with me today. Live through me today. Again, help my friend struggling in marriage. Guide beyond any advice or counsel I gave yesterday. It’s on my heart this morning. Please help both of them.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen