Lent is a glorious forty-day retreat.
A retreat is a time to stand back; to ask: "What have I been doing with my life? What has God been teaching me? Where have I succeeded in living life God's way? Where have I failed? What do I need to confess to God or to change?"
A Lenten retreat is a time to recognize our wanderings and to determine to heed God's call to come back:
"But now, now - it is the Lord who speaks - come back to me with all your heart... turn to the Lord your God again, for He is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness." Joel 2: 12,13
Like the young man in the story of the prodigal son, Lord Jesus, I make a calculated choice to come back to the Father:
"I will get up and go to my father and say, 'Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son: treat me as one of your hired workers..."
Like the young man in this story, I marvel at Your response:
"He was still a long way from home when his father saw him; his heart was filled with pity, and he ran, threw his arm around his son, and kissed him... 'Hurry!' he said. 'Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet... Let us celebrate with a feast!'" Luke 15
You are tender, compassionate, gracious and slow to grow angry, O Lord. Thank you.
Morning Psalm:
Psalm 32, a Maskil of David
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
Selah
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Selah
Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
Selah
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
A retreat is a time to stand back; to ask: "What have I been doing with my life? What has God been teaching me? Where have I succeeded in living life God's way? Where have I failed? What do I need to confess to God or to change?"
A Lenten retreat is a time to recognize our wanderings and to determine to heed God's call to come back:
"But now, now - it is the Lord who speaks - come back to me with all your heart... turn to the Lord your God again, for He is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness." Joel 2: 12,13
Like the young man in the story of the prodigal son, Lord Jesus, I make a calculated choice to come back to the Father:
"I will get up and go to my father and say, 'Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son: treat me as one of your hired workers..."
Like the young man in this story, I marvel at Your response:
"He was still a long way from home when his father saw him; his heart was filled with pity, and he ran, threw his arm around his son, and kissed him... 'Hurry!' he said. 'Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet... Let us celebrate with a feast!'" Luke 15
You are tender, compassionate, gracious and slow to grow angry, O Lord. Thank you.
Morning Psalm:
Psalm 32, a Maskil of David
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
Selah
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Selah
Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
Selah
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
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