REPENTANCE AND PREPARATION (LENT) 2
Remember that we are dust.
Ash on our forehead in the shape of a humble cross. Even days later I still recall it. I have felt it in the conferences where I am serving. The brokenness before God. Repentance is on my heart. This is a season when we wear ash, we embrace sorrow. We self examen our actions and motives. We look directly at the benefits and lovingkindness God has shown us in the stark contrast of our own willfulness. And we are blessed with mercy. Mercy waters the dark dirt field we call our heart and a different harvest grows.
1Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5Who satisfies your desire with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
6The Lord performs righteous deeds
And judgments for all who are oppressed.
7He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the sons of Israel.
8The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
9He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who revere Him.
Prayer
Lord,
You are incomprehensibly kind. Your abounding lovingkindness is the gift I want, the very thing I need. Lord in comparison my actions are a pale hue of the true color of love. Remember Lord I am dust. Amen.
