Lenten Devotional- "Stories in the Dark"

 

LENT AT LMPC

2021

STORIES IN THE DARK

 

By New Elders, Deacons, and Staff of LMPC
[Based mostly on Book II of the Psalms]

My memory is full of stories in the dark…

When I was camping as a Boy Scout around the camp fire…

When my parents would read me a bed-time story-
      Or when I have read my children/grandchildren such stories.

Bible stories read at night to help me sleep well…
      Except when they were stories of giants or wrath or bad people. 

Those stories in the dark shaped me to trust in the Light. 

We hope these stories might make you remember-
“Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” 

(Pastor Ben)

 

So this is dedicated to all those who risk their time and energy to pass their story and the stories of God on to the next generation.   The teachers, SS and Bible teachers, ministers, parents
who tell the tale…

[Many Passages in this devotional are base on the Second Book of Psalms 42-72]

 

Many thanks to Lizzie Shepard for the wonderful hand- tailored drawings for this Lenten Devotional.
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2/17- Ash Wednesday-  (Outside Service with Drive Through Imposition of Ashes- 6:00)
“Forgive Us” Mt. 6:12; Pastor Blaine Hill (Associate Pastor LMPC)
“…As we have  forgive our debtors…” Matthew 6:12

 Lent is a season of the church year when we trust God enough to look at our sins and to repent. Because life is complicated and messy, reflection upon ourselves and our need for God’s mercy may cause us to recall times when people have sinned against us. Recalling people’s sin against us, even if we were at fault too, is painful. That reflection and hurt can so easily become bitterness and resentment. Thankfully, Jesus provides us relief from resentment. When we follow Jesus and choose to forgive, he sets us free from bitterness. Rather than resenting someone’s failure to pay the debt their sin incurred, we recall that we have forgiven that debt. Is the Lord prompting you to release someone’ debt and calling you to leave behind bitterness?

 

Prayer:  Lord, too often I am quick to blame and slow to forgive.  Turn that around for me that I may forgive those who have injured me and instead let me sew love where there is hatred. 

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2/18- “My Soul Thirsts for God”  Psalm 42:1-4; Pastor Ben
Most of my devotions will be on the second book of the Psalms (42-72) during Lent.

Psalm 42: 1-4
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 
My soul thirsts for God for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food  day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with he multitude leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. 
Why are you downcast O my soul, why so disturbed with me? 
Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Thoughts: I am thirsty for God in this desert of a time.  I can sympathize with the Psalmist.  There have been times in my life where my tears are my food, which makes me even more dehydrated for God’s living water. 
I remember the days when there were multitudes in church.  I used to go with them, and there was joy. 
But now the church is only a quarter full, and many who could do not come back and do not care to listen in online. 
I am truly thirsty for the time when the church was full of people singing together, praying together, in focus on God.  He has hope in God.  One day we will praise Him again.  I do not give up on that hope. 
I refuse to believe that church will not strive again.  In some ways the Psalmist was downcast (depressed) because he could not go to church.  I have seen some come back for the first time and there is real joy and excitement about even being in our beautiful sanctuary again.  But then the excitement goes away and they disappear back into isolation.  Isolation may bring us peace but it rarely brings us encouragement and joy.  We are meant to love one another.  That does not simply mean getting teaching, but it means being with people to whom we can love and receive love.  Love is the answer to our downcast souls.  One day… love not fear will reign again. 

[“My Soul Thirsts for God”  Psalm 42:1-4]

Prayer: Lord, here this Psalm as my prayer.  I am thirsty for you and I am sad that I cannot fully worship with your people.  Restore us again, O Lord.