Journey through Lent

Three Lenten positive thoughts as we enter the last week of Lent. The first is Lent is an expression of gratitude.

The Book of Deuteronomy is one of the books of Moses, the first five books of the Bible. It contains God’s instruction to the people of Israel. We read Deuteronomy 26 about Moses telling the people to remember the good things God has done for them. As an act of thanksgiving, Moses encourages them to gather up the bounty of their lives to present before the priest.

The remembrance of God’s blessings involves the recitation of their story. God took Abraham out of a particular district, moved him, and eventually settled him in the land of Egypt. From there, he and his progeny became a huge nation and a threat to the Egyptians. The nation fell under the thumb of the Egyptians in slavery. But eventually, God, with a “mighty hand and an outstretched arm” performed real miracles to set the people of Israel free and bring them into the Promised Land (Deut. 26:8).

This carries over to what Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans. What has God done? Paul tells us that the Lord is generous because he gives freely (Rom. 10:12). He created the world and filled it with beauty; he has raised us up and made us in his own image. God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to bring forgiveness and mercy to the brokenness of our lives. In Christ’s death and resurrection, he opens up the way to eternal life. All these actions happen because God loves us. Out of his love, he promises us the companionship of his presence.

As we experience the last days of this Lent, let’s first remember with gratitude what God has done.

Giver of all good things, we thank you:

for health and vigour,

for the air that gives the breath of life,

the sun that warms us,

and the good food that makes us strong;

for happy homes and for the friends we love,

for all that makes it good to live.

Make us thankful and eager to repay,

by cheerfulness and kindliness,

and by a readiness to help others.

Freely we have received; let us freely give,

in the name of him who gave his life for us,

Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.