This devotion originally appeared Feb. 17, 2016
By Ellen Conrad, a 2017 environmental science graduate from Lakewood, Colorado
Scripture: Psalm 27 (NRSV)
My life’s a labyrinth
Where are you when I need you?
God, sometimes, I’m lost
Though uncertainty
May obscure my prior path
My God is with me
Yet, I feel afraid
Deserted, lost, unguided
Stumbling, blinded
Please be my guidance
You protect me when I fear
Lord you are my strength
My clarity is clouded
If you are here, speak to me
Show me my future
The lord is my light
Show me kindness, truth, beauty
Always be with me
Our earth is on fire
Oppression, war, climate change
You stand passively
What does “faithful” mean?
Is it mind over matter?
Spirit o’er logic?
Show me your wisdom
Hear my pleas for your mercy
All my days, I’ll sing
Though I will stumble
God’s presence will bring me truth
Why then shall I fear?
Scripture: Psalm 27 (NRSV)
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall.
3Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.
4One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
5For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.
6Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
8“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek.
9Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!
10If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.
11Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
12Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence.
13I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!