On this second day of Lent, we read this scripture, devotional, and Prayer to bring us closer to Christ and others:
LEAN INTO LENT DAY 2
(Proverbs 29:25) The fear of a man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
With the advent of cable news and social media, stories of evil abound. Every local crime immediately becomes national, so we are often in a state of “what’s next?” Pervasive fear takes over our thoughts if we allow influencers to dominate our minds.
God is our high tower, our citadel, and He erects tall hedges of protection for His own. That knowledge changes our perspective.
Does that mean that bad things never happen to good people? Hardly, for in a fallen world, evil exists. But, Romans 8:31 shows us that “if God is for us, who can be against us.” This teaches that whatever happens, we can see God’s hand in the results. And the result might turn out to be for His honor and our good. Watch for miracles.
PRAYER: Almighty Heavenly Father, I pray that I can truly live in the faith that You indeed guide my footsteps and protect me because I am Your child. When challenges come, help me to see the good result that may follow in all situations. Allow me to always trust in Your care for me and my loved ones. In this fast-paced world, help me to remember how to meditate, to take time to evaluate what others are trying to teach or show or influence me, making sure information aligns with Your truth and the principles a Christian should follow for Your sake Amen
And, from my book, Restore My Soul, A Lenten Journey, My Psalm #301 which reminds us that we live in a fallen world, and tragedy sometimes occurs. How do we deal with grief, sorrow, regret, and disappointment? We turn it over to God to serve His purposes for His honor and our good:
MY PSALM 301 TRAGEDY
Note: The tragic Parkland, FL school shooting, claiming seventeen lives, occurred the first day of Lent, 2018.
Heavenly Father, Creator of all things,
Abba, Father,
Praised be Your Name in the heavens and on earth,
For You have heard my cry; I can feel Your Presence
Because Jesus brings me to Your loving arms
When I cry out to You for strength this hour.
My heart is heavy with grief
Because Your children have strayed so far
From Eden’s perfection.
Senseless killing of students in a school
Brings me to tears. Do You weep too?
Mothers and fathers, sisters, brothers, spouses
Mourn for their beloved dear ones
Ripped so quickly from their arms
Without words of goodbye.
Lost potential, all with dreams for tomorrow
Now like withered grass blowing in the wind.
And for those parents, show Your mercy
For You indeed know what it is to see Your Son
Face the cruelty of violence and suffer death
To pay sin’s penalty, Your grace to share.
Give them strength, share Your Sovereign power
To face what comes next:
The empty chair, the silent laugh, the fading memories,
The denial, the tears, the anger,
And agonizing grief.
Bring them before You,
To feel Your compassionate Presence,
Until they can forgive and heal soul-depth wounds.
May their strong testimony promote change.
May we see some good come from this tragedy.
Abba, Father, hold us all in Your arms
That we can find comfort
In knowing that before even our first breaths,
You know the hour of our returning to You,[1]
And that Your children, those who knew You in this life
Are safely with You this day in paradise.
For all of us who mourn, bring us peace
That peace that passes all mortal understanding
To fulfill our purpose, to love You well
Until, when our tasks are done
You call us Home for eternity with You and them. Amen.
[1]Psalm 139: 16
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