A Reflection for Saturday, March 15 by Rev. Beth Knight
Lectionary reading for 03/15/2025: Psalm 27; Psalm 118:26-29; Matthew 23:37-39
Selected passage for reflection: Psalm 27
Read
Psalm 27 Common English Bible (CEB)
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Should I fear anyone?
The Lord is a fortress protecting my life.
Should I be frightened of anything?
2 When evildoers come at me trying to eat me up—
it’s they, my foes and my enemies,
who stumble and fall!
3 If an army camps against me,
my heart won’t be afraid.
If war comes up against me,
I will continue to trust in this:
4 I have asked one thing from the Lord—
it’s all I seek:
to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life,
seeing the Lord’s beauty
and constantly adoring his temple.
5 Because he will shelter me in his own dwelling
during troubling times;
he will hide me in a secret place in his own tent;
he will set me up high, safe on a rock.
6 Now my head is higher than the enemies surrounding me,
and I will offer sacrifices in God’s tent—
sacrifices with shouts of joy!
I will sing and praise the Lord.
7 Lord, listen to my voice when I cry out—
have mercy on me and answer me!
8 Come, my heart says, seek God’s face.
Lord, I do seek your face!
9 Please don’t hide it from me!
Don’t push your servant aside angrily—
you have been my help!
God who saves me,
don’t neglect me!
Don’t leave me all alone!
10 Even if my father and mother left me all alone,
the Lord would take me in.
11 Lord, teach me your way;
because of my opponents, lead me on a good path.
12 Don’t give me over to the desires of my enemies,
because false witnesses and violent accusers
have taken their stand against me.
13 But I have sure faith
that I will experience the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living!
14 Hope in the Lord!
Be strong! Let your heart take courage!
Hope in the Lord!
Reflect
From a young age, Psalm 27 has been a favorite of mine. Like pebbles tossed and creating ripples across a water body, the first two lines skim outward and carry forward the resounding message that the Lord is Light and Salvation. Next is the emphasis that the Lord protects, shelters and is merciful. As a child of divorced parents it was particularly comforting that the Lord is named as one who will take me in. There were plenty of times in my formative years that hope and courage were needed. The Psalmist does not tell us to believe in humans, rather the Psalmist encourages trust in someone greater: the Lord. Further passion expresses the posture of seeking God’s face. The refrain of Hope in the Lord! Hope in the Lord! is the final exclamation of this Psalm. It became one I also would pass on to others time and time again, as I saw the Lord’s goodness lead me on a good path. Most likely you too have stories and memories of challenges in life. Often life can create anxiety within us. Psalm 27 portrays a seeker who wishes to not be afraid and chooses to worship the Lord with thanksgiving; having a vast sense of God’s prevenient grace. We live in a world where anxiety can seep into our hearts. Yet this Psalm fervently reminds us that we can live confidently, hold our heads high above any enemy and Hope in the Lord! This Psalm beckons to me to also pray a modern collect, titled “Collect When Anxious”; which just like Psalm 27, I can return to often:
Collect When Anxious (copyright Beth Knight)
“Adonai,
How dear is Your name.
Adonai,
Shield from angst,
Gentle Breeze,
Anchor,
Enliven us
With resilience,
For the moment,
For the night,
For the long journey.
Bread of Heaven,
Cup of Salvation,
You are
The Great Sustainer.
Amen.”
Respond
Allow yourself to repeat this collect several times as a sequel to Psalm 27. Perhaps print this collect to accompany you in times of angst. You might also consider this breath prayer:
Inhale: Shield from angst.
Exhale: Thankyou Great Sustainer.
Rest
Continue intentionally and prayerfully breathing in and out, and then in lectio divina fashion recite the above breath prayer three times. Inhale: Shield from angst. Exhale: Thank you Great Sustainer. Rest and trust in the balm of these phrases.
About the Author
Beth Knight is an ordained pastoral counselor and spiritual director. She also writes collects, Celtic caims, blessings and poetry. A former Alaskan, Beth now lives in Florida. When not serving in ministry, Beth loves spending time with three grandchildren, walking labyrinths, and is very involved with a global contemplative women’s online community.
This reflection is part of a series called Prayerful Reflections: A Daily Devotional for Lent 2025. Join us on the blog each day for a new reflection from a different writer, or download the pdf of the entire devotional by clicking the link.