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Lenten Reflection – 23-February-2021 – Lent Day 6

Hebrews 13:5b-6 God himself has said, “I will never leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

One of the struggles I have is with grace. Not so much the spiritual kind – I gratefully accept God’s grace and it is always my prayer that I will allow His grace to flow through me to other. No, what I’m talking about is what my late husband, Daniel, described as: “there’s a reason why her middle name is Joy and not Grace.” I lack physical grace. The biggest problem with that is I have a tendency to do things to hurt myself – without intending to, of course.

So, when I look at a verse like Hebrews 13:6 and what human being can do to me, I think first of what I might do to myself. For all of us, I also think that is the greatest danger spiritually. We tend to be our own worst enemy. When it comes to temptations, there are many in the world around us – no question – and the Bible tells us that Satan is lurking and lying in wait also.

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

Yet, just as I am more likely to trip myself than to have someone else trip me, my sense is that I am more likely to trip myself up when it comes to temptation as well. My wants, my desires, my longings – and certainly Satan observes and can use them against me, but it still starts with me. So, my prayers to the Lord for His help and protection encompass all of these.

Loving Father, be my helper and my comfort. Hold me until my fears subside. Make Your presence real to me. Savior Shepherd Son, bring me back to Your center when I stray. Pick me up out of the places into which I trip and fall. Holy Spirit, show me where I am the most vulnerable and help me to overcome those things. Reveal Your truth to me, always guide me, and intercede for me. I submit to You, Amen.

Psalm 130:5-6 I wait for the Lord. My soul waits and I hope in His Word. My soul waits for the Lord more than one who watches for the morning; yes, more than one who watches for the morning.