Reformation Lutheran 1997 Lenten Devotional - Number 1
February 12, 1997. Today's Bible verse is Psalm 51
Ash Wednesday
Reading Psalm 51 reminds us of how humble and ashamed
David must have felt after his confrontation with Nathan the Prophet,
as Nathan exposed the sinfulness of his acts. After all, here
was David, God's anointed one, who began his reign so pure of
heart, standing knee deep in the muck and mire of his sin. If
it could happen to him, could it happen to any one of us?
Of course it can, and it does, every hour of every
day. We continuously turn away from God's way, the way David
did when he seduced Bathsheba, and we pursue fulfillment of our
own selfish desires. In a broader sense, we sin against God every
time we put ourselves before him. Is there any hope?
Thanks to our Savior Jesus Christ, we can come before
God, and be cleansed from our sin. Let us begin this Lenten journey
by humbling ourselves before the Lord with penitent, contrite
hearts. Indeed God loves a heart that is humble and seeks forgiveness.
God will joyfully embrace us and will "wash us whiter than
snow."
Prayer: Gracious
Father, we thank you for forgiving us, day after day, sin after
sin. We ask you to guide us and sustain us as we journey with
you through this Lenten season. We ask for your peace to be granted
for "our inmost parts". Amen.
[Lenten Index | Tomorrow]
