Devotions For Lent – Day 40

The Lamb

“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”             (John 12:15)

Read 1 Peter 2: 22-25.

In preparation for the Passover, it was customary for a family to separate the sacrificial lamb from the flock 5 days before the Passover. It was also the custom for the family to bring the lamb into their home during these 5 days. In today’s Scripture, Jesus is entering Jerusalem 5 days before the Passover, and when Jesus enters Jerusalem, He immediately goes to His Father’s house, the temple. It is here that He would spend much of the week preparing for what lay ahead.
Today, reflect on the words of this poem, “The Lamb.”

“The Lamb, the Lamb, O Father, where’s the sacrifice?
Faith sees, believes God will provide the Lamb of price!
Worthy is the Lamb whose death makes me His own!
The Lamb is reigning on His throne!

The Lamb. The Lamb, as wayward sheep, their shepherd kill.
So still, His will on our behalf, the Law to fill.
Worthy is the Lamb whose death makes me His own!
The Lamb is reigning on His throne!”

Prayer Starter:
Savior, You came as both King and Lamb. Your sacrifice conquered all my sin. Guide me to . . .

Devotions For Lent – Day 39

The Narrow Place

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”             (Psalm 73:25)

Read Romans 8: 18-30.

When life narrows down, what gives you confidence before God? Is it your faith? Is it Jesus’ love? What if your faith is filled with doubt and fear? What if you are feeling unlovable and unwanted? If everything is taken away from you, where do you place your confidence?

Sometimes, we feel like we’re in a narrow place; alone, empty. But Jesus is there: “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession” (Hebrews 4:14).

When you and I stand behind the curtain, before God, our confidence will be in the Man who sits on the right side of the throne of God, holding out His nail-pierced hands. Think or write about a time that life narrowed down for you and there in that narrow place stood Jesus.

Prayer Starter:
Jesus, I humbly ask You to be with me and give me peace in the areas of my life that are a struggle right now, such as . . .

Devotions For Lent – Day 38

Stir Up

“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”         (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.

Because of our sinful nature, we don’t drift toward holiness. We don’t gravitate toward godliness or obedience to the will of God. This is why we need the regular ministry of Christ’s Church. “Let us consider” — an intentional action — “how to stir up one another to love and good works,” — we know plenty of people who stir things up in a bad way, but this stirring toward growth and change — “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”

These things don’t happen if we are not participating together in worship and fellowship. If these things are not in place, then we are bound to drift. It is when we come together as Christ’s body, the Church, that we spur each other on to hold fast to God’s Word. In your thinking or writing today, make a list of a few people in your church and ask them how you can pray for them.

Prayer Starter:
Jesus, thank You for the people You have given me in my church who encourage me to hold fast; people like . . .

Devotions For Lent – Day 37

Hold Fast

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”         (Hebrews 10:23)

Read Psalm 63.

The story of Job is a story of unimaginable loss. He loses his wealth and then his children. Then his health fails in horrific ways. Finally, his wife’s faith collapses, and she says, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die” (Job 2:9). Behind the curtain, as god and Satan watched, how Satan must have smiled in glee. Then comes the victorious shout of Job’s faith, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10).

In times of great loss and sorrow, how do you hold fast? Dead in our sin, we have no chance of hanging on, no hope of things turning around. We’re only able to hold fast because we are held fast! We are held fast by God’s Word and faithfulness. We are held fast by the arms that stretched out for us on Calvary’s cross. What promises of God are holding you fast today?

Prayer Starter:
Heavenly Father, Your steadfast love is better that anything in my life . . .

Devotions For Lent – Day 36

Draw Near

“Let us draw near with a true heart in the full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”         (Hebrews 10:22)

Read Leviticus 16.

Once each year, the Israelites observed an awesome event — the great Day of Atonement! This national holiday brought two truths together in a holy paradox. The first truth: God’s holiness makes it impossible for Him to tolerate sin. The second truth: All human beings are sinful and deserve God’s wrath.

But on the Day of Atonement, God invited one person, the high priest, to enter into God’s presence on behalf of his sinful people. At that one moment, God’s holiness and the human sinfulness came together. But instead of destruction — atonement! Forgiveness! The promised Savior would come and therefore, sinners were not destroyed. Instead, their sins were covered.

Now, because of Jesus, the Day of Atonement is every day for us! Write down the words of Hebrews 10:22. Which of these words speak most deeply to your heart and mind?

Prayer Starter:
Dear Jesus, You cleanse all of me — my heart, my conscience, and my body. How do I thank You? . . .

Devotions For Lent – Day 35

He Never Gave In

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”         (Hebrews 4:15)

Read Matthew 4:1-11.

To an outsider, it seems that because Jesus never sinned, He could not know what temptation was like or how strong temptation could be. But in our Scripture reading today, we see proof that just the opposite is true. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. Jesus knows the battle, yet He never gave in. He is the only One who knows the true depth of the struggle. He was tempted to lie and covet, to murmur disgust and pout with self-pity. But He met each and every temptation with the power of the Word. As a result, as you and I struggle with temptation, He does not roll His eyes or shake His head in disappointment. He invites us to come to Him, not only for forgiveness, but for the strength we need to stand strong in the struggle.
Today, think about some of the other temptations that Jesus might have battled through.

Prayer Starter:
Jesus, I am weak. You are strong. I give in; You never did. You never gave up. Thank You. Lead me not into temptation, especially when . . .

Devotions For Lent – Day 34

Fifth Sunday In Lent

The veil is torn. The throne room is open. The way to God is open because of Jesus. But our flesh is still sinful, and our hearts are prone to wander. The life of a believer is full of mountains and valleys. One day, your confidence may be soaring, and the next day, you may feel like you’re standing on your last leg of faith.

But our Savior remains the same steady source of forgiveness and mercy day after day. The next time your confidence feels a bit shaky, put these nine words from Romans 5:8 on a repeat loop in your mind:

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Take some time today to savor that verse by memorizing it and repeating it and praying over it all day long.

FORGIVEN IS FORGIVEN!

Devotions For Lent – Day 33

Drawn To The Cross

“I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
(John 12:32)

Read Matthew 11:25-30.

There are some people that have such charisma that others are naturally drawn to them. The cross of Christ has that power. Despite our feeling of unworthiness, we are drawn in by the power of Jesus lifted up on the cross. Reflect and pray over the words of this poem by Genevieve Irons:

“Drawn to the cross, which You have blessed
With healing gifts for souls distressed,
To find in You my life, my rest,
Christ Crucified, I come.”

Today, think or write the words of a hymn or song that draws you into the presence of God. Then, sing those words as a prayer.

Prayer Starter:
Spirit of the Living God, breathe into me a breath of life, of hope, and . . .