On Day four of Lent, let us remember that Christ suffered as a fully human man, tempted as we are tempted, feeling the same emotions we feel, but totally committed to the fact that God, the Father, is sovereign and in charge of all the universe. He numbers every hair on our heads and watches each sparrow’s fall. Therefore, we can trust His judgment and His Presence. The scripture for today shows His complete control over nature, the affairs of men, and His ability to take care of His own. Whatever we face in this life, it is for our good and His glory. We can be sure of that.
LEAN INTO LENT DAY 4
(Exodus 14:14) Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.
The context is an upcoming battle between the chosen people and the Egyptians. God always wins the battles. This time, He marched His people through dry land, dividing the Red Sea, and drowning the Egyptian pursuers.
Does He answer prayer? He protects us from danger to body or soul. We need just to be silent and watch what He does. The answer may be, “Yes,” “Not yet,” or “No,” according to His will. Remember, He sees the whole picture, the past, present, and future, all of which are under His perusal.
Lent is a time to face our insecurities, worries, fears, shortcomings, lack of trust, or needs so that that God can succeed.
PRAYER: Almighty God, thank you for Your eternal presence. Be very close to me, whatever Your plan is for my day, or all the days of my life, knowing that I do nothing in my own power, but rely on Your eternal presence with me. I trust You as I lean into Your power which is more than adequate for what I face now or in the future. Amen
From my book Restore My Soul, A Lenten Journey, My Psalm 303 called “Sorrow.” Having recently mourned the death of my sister, this is particularly true of the last month. Imagine, if you can the sorrow of God the Father at the necessity of His only begotten Son who was betrayed, and suffered the cruelty of the crucifixion, even in His Royal State as the King of Kings. Jesus knew the pain of loss, just as we do. Let us remember to worship Him this season.
MY PSALM 303 SORROW
Almighty Father, Creator of all things,
We call upon Your Name in supplication,
For we so need Your Presence this day.
Your Word tells us that the death of Your saints
Is precious in Your sight, and we grieve this day.
We know You loved us enough to sacrifice Your Son
Jesus Christ for us, atonement for our sinful nature.
He willingly left the heavenly realms
Where He counseled in Your Presence,
Was worshiped by angels and saints,
And bathed in the holiness of Your heavenly home.
You saw our need for a Savior, sent Him to live among us,
Where he knew scratchy straw at His birth,
No home, no wealth, no status, a man of sorrows,
Acquainted with grief, scorned, betrayed, murdered
A life untarnished yet sacrificed
So that we could also call You Abba, Father.
With His stripes, we are indeed healed,
And even in this life where hatred and callous indifference
And sin and disease and grief surround us,
Because of His resurrection, we have hope.
Today, be so very close to those who mourn,
Those who bury spouses, fathers, children, siblings,
friends.
Those who know the depth of sorrow this day.
We pray Your loving arms to surround and comfort,
We pray Your wisdom will prevail,
We pray in thanksgiving for these loved ones in our lives,
Our thanks that they were born to bless us and so many,
And commit them to their heavenly Presence with You,
May bereavement bring us ever closer to You
For only in You can we find a place
Where there will be no more tears, no more sorrow
Because of the atoning work
Of the Son You sent to live among us.
As we walk through this season,
May we meditate on Your Word as never before,
Contemplating Your redemptive message.
May we find cleansing for our sins,
The joy of our salvation, and live as those renewed,
Refreshed, strengthened, and ready to tell of Your mercy
So that others too will know Your Story,
That indeed, good can come out of tragedy and sorrow
Because we see everything
Through the prism of redemption
Through Jesus’ Precious Name. Amen.
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