Day 41-April 7

Psalm 71:1-14
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me.
Be to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress, to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.
My praise is continually of you.

I have been like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all day long.
Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
do not forsake me when my strength is spent.
For my enemies speak concerning me,
and those who watch for my life consult together.
They say, ‘Pursue and seize that person
whom God has forsaken,
for there is no one to deliver.’

O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
Let my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
let those who seek to hurt me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
But I will hope continually,
and will praise you yet more and more.

Reflection
It is Tuesday of Holy Week. What better day, as Thursday and Friday loom on the horizon, to read a psalm of praise and petition that recalls God’s unending love?
Like the children’s books “Love You Forever,” “The Runaway Bunny” and “Guess How Much I Love You” the psalmist is describing boundless love. “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always; as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.” “If you run away, I will come and find you.” “I love you right up to the moon…and back.” But here’s the thing: we’re not always so sure. The foundation of God’s love does not always feel as firm.
The psalmist understands that, and reminds us that suffering and pain are real, but that God will not fail us, and we are called to hope. Even if our hearts hold doubts, God’s love is great, greater, the greatest.

Prayer
In your light, we see light, O God. Hasten the day when we will never doubt your unfailing, untiring love. Amen.

Quilt found here.