St. Patrick's Day

 

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! (Psalm 84:10-12 ESV).

 

There is so much history, some reliable and some myth, surrounding St. Patrick. He was born in Britain, not Ireland, to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family. However, at the age of 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. It is believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christ during this time of captivity.

 

It was also at this time that he wrote this prayer in our meme, called St. Patrick’s Breastplate, which is still widely known and recited today. God soon opened the door for him to share Christ with the Irish King Laoghaire and his subjects, and allowed him to be a part of bringing them out paganism’s dark hold to the saving power of Jesus Christ. St. Patrick was a man who knew much about darkness, hardship, and enemy territory. And it was in those years that he later tells how he learned about the Mighty power of God’s Presence and prayer.

 

The life of St. Patrick is such an example to us still today, that even in the darkest of times, God’s Sovereignty shines over His people. He can’t help but to come to our aid. He can’t help but to bless us and let His favor surround our lives, because He’s a good and loving God. And nothing escapes His notice. He watches over all, and we can trust that our lives and circumstances are held securely in His hands.

 

Since my middle name is Patrick (I know that’s definitely not Italian, and there’s a long story behind it saved for another time), I have claimed some identification with this leader of faith. I certainly identify with his words of “Christ with me; Christ before me; Christ behind me; and, Christ in me.” This is a great place to continue our Lenten devotion and remembrance this year. Join with me, won’t you?