INVITATION and PSALM
Come, seek the Lord. Seek His path and He will light it for you.
Psalm 5 – For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.
1 Listen to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people are not welcome.
5 The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
6 you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.
8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make your way straight before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongues they tell lies.
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
All glory and honor to You, O Lord!
HYMN REFLECTION
As Jesus shares more and more of his life and ministry on earth, eyes are opened and souls are stirred. Yet, many are threatened by the possibility of a power greater than theirs. How many of the world’s ills could be avoided or resolved if we only followed the way of truth, compassion, humility and love? This singular thought has permeated my thinking during this Ordinary time leading toward Lent.
No doubt, a light has been shown on the troubling events of today. I have been grateful for my own faith, feeble as it may be, in guiding my thinking and actions in response. I’m sure many of you share similar feelings. So, I hope we may encourage each other to follow the one true light – the light of Christ. For He will expose all fraud and guide our way forward – rest assured!
As I researched hymns for this week’s reflection, I was moved by a Gospel song written in 1953 by Doris Akers (1923-1995), and titled “Lead Me, Guide Me” (TFWS #2214). The slow gospel style and occasional improvised singing create a calling out – a yearning for guidance from Jesus. It was just what I needed to hear!
Doris Akers was an African American singer, gospel song writer, arranger and director. She was respected by the “pioneers of the golden age of gospel music.” She was honored by the Smithsonian Institution as “the foremost black gospel songwriter in the United States”, and was posthumously inducted to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
(http://music.ihmbrooklyn.org/home/leadmeguideme)
Fans of Elvis Presley might already know that he recorded this song as he was a great believer in gospel music.
Here’s a recording of the Morgan State University Choir wonderfully expressing the call for God to take the lead!
PRAYER
Father, I thank you that you are my light shining in the darkness. When I don’t know which way to turn, I can run to your light. Lord, shine your light on the dark places in my heart and mind. Guide my feet in the path of peace and blessing. When I am in the dark ravine of fear and discouragement, be my sunrise, bringing security and the knowledge of how to proceed. Keep me in your perfect will. Amen.
“Lead Me, Guide Me” by Doris Akers
Verse 1
I am weak and I need Thy strength and power,
To help me over my weakest hour.
Let me through the darkness Thy face to see,
Lead me, oh Lord lead me.
Chorus
Lead me, guide me along the way,
For if you lead me I cannot stray.
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, oh Lord lead me.
Verse 2
Help me tread in the paths of righteousness.
Be my aid when Satan and sin oppress.
I am putting all my trust in Thee:
Lead me, oh Lord lead me.
Verse 3
I am lost if you take your hand from me,
I am blind without Thy light to see.
Lord just always let me thy servant be,
Lead me, oh Lord lead me.
DORIS AKERS
Offered by Joche Wilmot, Director of Music Ministries