Psalm 116:1-8 (NRSV)
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Verse 1I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.
Verse 2Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
Verse 3The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.
Verse 4Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, I pray, save my life!"
Verse 5Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.
Verse 6The Lord protects the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.
Verse 7Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
Verse 8For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
Devotion
The pastor in the African village of Kishashi told us of their village project to help orphaned children whose mother, father or both have died of AIDS. Families have taken these orphans into already bursting mud huts, but they have no money to pay the necessary school fees. The village project helps. We gathered a meager offering from our WAM (walking around money), enough to send a child to school for a year.
The Lord preserves the simple. Life is simple with no electricity, no running water and no commerce. It is also very hard. These children need an education; it will be the salvation of their country, according to Bishop Akyoo. Without an elementary education the cords of death encompass them.
The Lord is gracious, righteous and compassionate. The Lord has dealt bountifully with me, yet I was brought low to see the suffering of the simple.
Prayer
Gracious God, You readily hear my supplications. You readily incline your ear to hear my plea and I give thanks for your mercy. Open my ears to hear the supplications of your children in need. Preserve the simple. May they walk before you in the land of the living, through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.