2nd Sunday of Lent
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
Written by Jasmyn Joubert
At first glance this is a simple psalm. A promise to follow the Lord, to walk with Him throughout your life. Out of curiosity, I wanted to read more about what brought the psalmist to proclaiming these words. I want to share the lines that occurred just before this psalm:
I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.
Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.
The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;
I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living (Ps 116:1–9).
Mercy and God’s providence seem to be the theme of the Lenten psalms we have encountered so far (very fitting, huh?). On Ash Wednesday we acknowledged ourselves as sinners and cried for God’s mercy. The first Sunday of Lent we acknowledged that Christ shows love and truth to those who keep his commandments. Now today, we are brought to a moment of acknowledging where God has shown us mercy, love and truth as well as contemplating what our response should be to this. When we reflect on where God has shown up for us and the absolute gift that it is to be alive there is a call to action. We are called to walk before the Lord among those around us. To speak of the mercy and love we have received. To speak about our lives, and all life as an incredible gift.
The psalmist does not keep quiet about the Lord’s presence. He says he will proclaim it to all people in a public way as an offering of thanks and praise. We are all called to share with others the way the Lord has shown mercy and love to us. We are called to show others what a life with the Lord looks like. Not a life free of suffering and full of only happiness, but a real life full of deep suffering and lows. A life that needs God and His mercy. A life that is willing to ask for and receive that mercy and love.
How has Christ shown you mercy? How can you share your witness to others?
Jasmyn Joubert is a school counselor by trade and a wife and mom of two daughters by vocation. She has a passion for public speaking, specifically on the intersection of faith and mental health. Most recently, Jasmyn was named President of Alive in You Outreach, a non-profit that focuses on creating servant hearts among the teens in our Church. Jasmyn is honored to be the co-host of the Anti-Depressing Show. Follow Jasmyn on Instagram.
Pray with today’s psalm.