First Week in Lent (2)

 

 

"3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,  your vindication like the noonday sun."   Psalm 37:3-6

Lent is once more upon us, bringing its own rhythm from past experiences.  How many of you have gone to Ash Wednesday services where you are anointed with a cross of ashes on your forehead to mark the beginning of the season of reflection, resolution, and renewal.  The crosses cause me to look inward reminding me that Jesus died on the cross for my sin and outward to guide me to care for the people in God’s world.  As you journey this year, may you continue to reflect on what does your soul need, what are you doing that makes God happy, and be open to the revealing of God’s grace to you every day. 

Today’s reading from Psalm 37 reminds me to Trust in the Lord, dwell in your place and enjoy a safe place to live.   It all sounds simple however I continually need to remember to Trust in the Lord by looking at the cross where His life was laid down.  I love the part in psalm 37 which asks us to delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  There are many ways to delight in the Lord.

1.      Delight in God’s excellence as God is the answer to our deep longings.

2.      Find enjoyment in the Lord as we incline our hearts towards Jesus.

3.      Take inspiration from the good works he does through you.

4.      Delight in God’s great love for you, how deep, long, wide, and high that fills me with God’s fullness.

5.      Delight in God’s mercy and compassion for all God has done for all people and the world. 

Lent is a good time to renew the desire of our heart to follow Jesus by doing his will, meditating on his word, being obedient to God’s will for us, being honest with ourselves and others, committing time to prayer, and living his word in our lives.  Take time to build a closer relationship with Christ.  Only God knows the true path for you, be open, listen and to do what you are called to accomplish for God.

Deuteronomy reminds us that I am a part of the people Holy to the Lord our God, his treasured possession.  To be holy I need to be set apart for the Lord through prayer, fasting and almsgiving preparing my heart and mind.  I am presently reading through the book of Esther where the Jews prayed and fasted to bring about the preservation of the Jews in Persia.  They came together to call on the Lord to rescue them, they persisted in their prayers and fasting to allow Esther to go before the King to save them.  Now in this season of lent I need the same dedication as the Holy people of God. 

Renew your prayer life stand face to face with God, laying desires and thoughts before him to reflect on what is God’s will.  As you wait in his presence laying down your will, seek to perceive his will and purpose for you.  Then as God’s holy people persevere in faith as God renews your minds to be his people.   Through delight in the Lord and prayers, fasting, and caring for our neighbours, may you find your spirit renewed drawing closer to your Saviour who calls you his beloved.  Lord, may I return daily to your well of resources so I may see what your revelation is for my life. 

May you be strengthened by the song My Life is in your Hands performed by the Brotherhood Gospel