Thursday, March 2, 2023

 

Thursday, March 2, 2023


Psalms 5; 6

Genesis 41:37-57

Luke 12:8-21


Observance: Chad, bishop of Lichfield, missionary (d. 672)


O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice.


Darkness is terrifying. Whether you are old or young, or if you have built up a tolerance to horror movies, no-one can honestly say they have entirely overcome the fear of the unknown that the night can bring. And I’m doubly certain we have all experienced a night of horror followed by the sweet relief of the dawning day.


Earlier in Luke’s gospel, we read Zecheriah’s prophecy that “by the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.”


The contrast between today’s Psalms gives us a taste of that feeling when, having experienced a night of horror, the dawn begins to break, and we are awash with the feeling of relief and peace. These two Psalms should be read both literally and spiritually. Because, no matter how dark and filled with horror things get, we have a rock-solid guarantee that dawn is coming, “for you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover them with favour as with a shield.”

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