Ash Wednesday is at the beginning of Lent. Lent is a 40 day season of preparation. It’s a time for remembering the death of Jesus for our sins.
And it prepares us for the celebratio of the resurrection of Jesus. During Lent, often we “give up” something as a reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus but also to enter into suffering and connect more realistically with the suffering of Jesus.
This Lent, we are following the tradtional Old Testament readings from the Prophets. They speak to us about repentance, giving up and trusting in the Lord. We’ll visit several significant prophets this lent as well as hear from some of the “lesser know” of the prophets.
Tonight we hear from the prophet Joel!
Joel 2:12-16:
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God. Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.”
Look at Who God is:
“…gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” - v.13
Look at Who Jesus is:
“I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me” - John 14:6
“the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world”. - John 1:29
Look at what Trusting in Him Does for us:
“having been set free from sin, we have become slaves of righteousness” - Romans 6:18
”Oh death where is your victory? Oh death where is your sting” - 1 Corinthians 15:55
And even when we don’t understand or receive what WE desire we trust:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” - Isaiah 55:9
The Promise of God:
“….that we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28
“If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me.” - Jeremiah 15:19
* click the blue box to add your own notes!
For Further Thought:
Q: What are you “giving up” for Lent?
Q: How do you hope that by giving up this particular thing for 40 days, it will help you spiritually?