Second Sunday in Lent – Psalm 22:23-31

You who fear the Lord, praise him. (Psalm 22:23a; NRSV)

Those of you who know scripture well saw that the verses are from the 22^nd psalm and were probably waiting to read ‘My God, My God’ which indeed are the words that begin this psalm. But the psalm’s final verses are the ones read here and are words of encouragement and blessing. They are words of assurance and the knowledge that God will save.  They boldly state that loving (fearing) the Lord should fill us with praise for the Lord. Our love of Jesus should fill us with praise. Jesus has done so much for us and it is during Lent that we remember how much that truly is. Jesus came to live among us. Jesus came to teach us and to heal us. Jesus came to die on the cross as payment for our sin. We who love the Lord should spill over with praise for what God has done, God is doing and what God will do as we walk together into the future.

Almighty God, fill us with your love that we may praise your holy name all the days of our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pastor Roxie Sullivan, First Presbyterian Church (Falls City) and First Presbyterian Church (Hiawatha, KS)