LENTEN DEVOTIONS – WEEK 4
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I will remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you, your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63: 1-8
MEDITATION
Focusing on God can be a tremendous struggle. Every day other things compete for our attention. There is shopping to do; household chores await our attention; the children taken to their music lessons; the latest movie entices us to the TV; e-mails must be answered; there are bills to pay and checks to write. The list goes on and on. If we resolve to say no to some of the distractions of the world and choose not to indulge our appetites for TV programs, or games on our phones and many other distractions, we may find ourselves feeling suddenly weak and nervous. Our anxiety level jumps as we feel empty and even lost without our favorite distraction.
However, this emptiness pleases God. When we empty ourselves for God’s sake, God can fill us in ways that nothing else can. When we are at our weakest, God is able to make us strong. When we are weak God will fill us with steadfast love.
This emptying reminds us of how Jesus emptied himself and humbled himself when he came to walk with us and to die on the cross. Let us resolve, during this Lenten season to empty ourselves so that God can fill us with steadfast love.
PRAYER
Lord, I am weak, Give me strength to persevere. Help my eyes to see the world as you see it. Help me to look to you to fill my emptiness. I await your comforting tough. Help me to not run back to my old habits so that I may find strength in you. Help me reject the message I hear every day about the fulfillment I will find in such things as food, a new car, a cell phone, or in all the other things that tempt me. God is my strength and comfort. I need your presence and your peace, O Lord. Amen
Recommended scripture readings for Week:
MEDITATION
Focusing on God can be a tremendous struggle. Every day other things compete for our attention. There is shopping to do; household chores await our attention; the children taken to their music lessons; the latest movie entices us to the TV; e-mails must be answered; there are bills to pay and checks to write. The list goes on and on. If we resolve to say no to some of the distractions of the world and choose not to indulge our appetites for TV programs, or games on our phones and many other distractions, we may find ourselves feeling suddenly weak and nervous. Our anxiety level jumps as we feel empty and even lost without our favorite distraction.
However, this emptiness pleases God. When we empty ourselves for God’s sake, God can fill us in ways that nothing else can. When we are at our weakest, God is able to make us strong. When we are weak God will fill us with steadfast love.
This emptying reminds us of how Jesus emptied himself and humbled himself when he came to walk with us and to die on the cross. Let us resolve, during this Lenten season to empty ourselves so that God can fill us with steadfast love.
PRAYER
Lord, I am weak, Give me strength to persevere. Help my eyes to see the world as you see it. Help me to look to you to fill my emptiness. I await your comforting tough. Help me to not run back to my old habits so that I may find strength in you. Help me reject the message I hear every day about the fulfillment I will find in such things as food, a new car, a cell phone, or in all the other things that tempt me. God is my strength and comfort. I need your presence and your peace, O Lord. Amen
Recommended scripture readings for Week:
- Psalm 33: 13-40
- Matthew 22: 37-39