Lent : Week Two
The readings for Lent this year have developed around the theme of God as our shield and our shelter. They come with an invitation to turn to him in the midst of trouble (note there is never the exclusion of trouble, but the invitation to find comfort within it).
This past week (ending yesteday) we read these words from Psalm 91:
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
And in this weeks readings (listed below) we come first to words given to Abraham in Genesis 15:
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward.”
And later these words from King David in Psalm 27:
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
A Timely Reminder
This reminder seems timely to me. Many of us are experiencing trouble. In our home, at our work, with our friendships; wherever it may be we are feeling the strain of brokeness and pain. The invitation for us this Lent is to not run from our struggle, nor run to other things, rather it is for us to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. More still, it is to rest in his shadow.
Rest. What an unexpected word.
This Weeks Readings
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Songs for the Journey
And here are two songs that have been in my head this morning. The first is from an old favourite of mine: Eoghan Heaslip. The second is an old chorus from my youth that often comes to mind.