Adventure Awaits
Sunday, February 9
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
For centuries churches have embraced the six weeks of Lent as a season of self-denial and self-reflection in anticipation of Easter. For five years I worked for Chapel of the Air Ministries helping non-liturgical churches experience the concept of Lent, many for the first time. The thematic Sunday curriculum we introduced across the country was called a “50-Day Spiritual Adventure.” Offering sample sermons, worship aids, drama scripts, and small group materials, we provided the means for churches to approach Holy Week and Easter with intentionality.
In our reading for today we see the people of God being instructed to review their redemptive history when they enter into the land of promise. Recalling how God provided for them in the past enhances their ability to trust God for challenges they will face in the future.
Lord, help me approach this season of Lent as a spiritual adventure, aware of your past faithfulness in my life. Amen.
Resting In God’s Shelter
Monday, March 10
Psalm 91:1-8
Margaret’s two sons served in World War 2. Both fought in the South Pacific. Their safety was not a given. In a war zone, death was a fact of life. Back home in rural Idaho, Margaret channeled her fear into fervent prayer. On a daily basis she prayed these words from Psalm 91: “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you” (v. 7, NIV).
Trusting God requires exercising our faith muscles. When we dwell in the shelter and rest in the shadow of God’s presence, we find the means to face the dangers that hem us in.
That woman who prayed Psalm 91 on behalf of her boys was my dad’s mom. Dad told me repeatedly how grateful he was for her devotion. When faced with adversity in my life, I have pictured my grandma on her knees voicing the words of the psalmist.
Lord, I desire to rest in the shelter of your presence. Amen.
Angels At Work
Tuesday, March 11
Psalm 91:9-16
In Frank Capra’s timeless Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, we are introduced to a wingless angel by the name of Clarence Odbody. Clarence is dispatched from heaven to derail a depressed George Bailey’s decision to take his own life. In an unorthodox approach, Clarence accomplishes his mission by allowing George to see what the world would have been like if he’d never been born. He discovers (in spite of his woes) that his life is pretty wonderful after all.
It is obvious that Frank Capra has not based his angelic character in the movie on sound biblical theology. But one thing Capra does get right is the role of angels to guide us to God’s intended purpose while protecting us along the way. Angels continually show up in the Bible as messengers on a mission. The psalmist celebrates the presence and purpose of angels in the lives of God’s people. In our high-tech culture, we should not dismiss God’s emissaries as beings no longer at work in our world.
Lord, my wonderful life relies on your messengers. Amen.
Feeding On God’s Word
Wednesday, March 12
Luke 4:1-4
Covid lockdowns began five years ago this week. Wearing masks and being quarantined was a challenge. But one of the outcomes of lockdown in our house was homemade bread. My wife, Wendy, discovered a recipe for baking bread in a Dutch oven. It was easy. It was fast. And it was good! There is nothing quite as wonderful as warm bread, freshly baked and slathered with butter. One slice was never enough. But when I’d eaten three slices, I knew I had to quit. I got a stomachache.
As much as we may love homemade bread, we can’t simply live on it. We need protein. We need fruit. We need water. That’s what today’s passage calls to mind. When tempted to turn stones that looked like Palestinian pita into bread, Jesus acknowledged that we need more than physical food to survive. As important as food is, he attested to the fact that we also need the nourishment that only comes from God’s Word. Whereas my wife’s homemade bread grows stale, God’s Word never does.
Lord, increase my appetite for your Word. Amen.
An Audience Of One
Thursday, March 13
Luke 4:5-8
A couple weeks ago Hollywood celebrated the 97th Academy Awards. Little gold statues were presented to actors, screenwriters, directors, costume designers, and composers. That big stage bathed in spotlights proved to be the pinnacle of success for a grateful few whose achievements were applauded by a worldwide audience.
But worldly fame is fleeting. A Hollywood star does not glimmer continuously. Even on Oscar’s big night there are more losers than winners.
When tempted to trade his God-given identity for worldly acclaim, Jesus walked away from the role he’d been offered by Satan. He saw through the tempter’s superficial contract. He could tell the script in question was beneath his stature. No gold statue or glory could compensate for what he’d been offered. And so he turned down the part.
In all likelihood we will never be offered a role that would result in global recognition. But we are tempted to play to the crowd instead of an audience of One.
Lord, I long to please you only. Amen.
Child Of God
Friday, March 14
Luke 4:9-13
My dad was born 99 years ago today. A former Marine and retired pastor, he was a mentor to me in my ministry. One of my treasured memories of my late father is walking through the old city of Jerusalem with him. Our tour guide joked about our itinerary being so demanding that it required us to run where Jesus walked.
While in Israel I couldn’t help picturing what our Lord experienced and saw. Seemingly everywhere I turned there were reminders that Jesus had been here. I recall sensing the presence of Jesus as my dad and I walked around the foundation stones of the ancient temple where our Lord was tempted by Satan as recorded in today’s passage.
Jesus’s ability to withstand Satan’s tests was his self-knowledge. He knew who he was and whose he was. Jesus’s intimate relationship with the Father informed his identity. The close connection between Son and Father enabled Jesus to face temptation with resolve. Our ability to withstand trials requires a similar intimacy with the Father.
Lord, remind me that I’m your child. Amen.
Expressions Of The Heart
Saturday, March 15
Romans 10:8-13
I’ve lost count of how many weddings I’ve performed. In each case the couple standing before me verbalizes what I already know to be true in their hearts. The words of commitment coming out of their mouths are not spoken in a vacuum. Those words are rooted in a love and devotion growing within them.
That is what Paul is getting at in verses 9-10 in today’s passage. Simply voicing a faith in Jesus is not sufficient to gain salvation. The words that leap from one’s lips must originate in the depth of one’s heart. Truly believing God raised Jesus from the dead is what validates the verbalized confession that “Jesus is Lord!” Going public with one’s faith naturally flows out of what is initially very private.
It was Jesus who said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34, NRSV). And that continues to be the paradigm for authentic discipleship. The words and actions of a disciple of Jesus provide a window to what truly exists in the heart.
Lord, may my private faith be increasingly public. Amen.
