Lent Daybook, 20: God is kind, but he's not soft

My Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2016 posts here)

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look

The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Saint Catherine's Monastery - source

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read

Psalm 39:7-13 / Romans 2:1-8 (MSG)

“What am I doing in the meantime, Lord? Hoping, that’s what I’m doing—hoping You’ll save me from a rebel life, save me from the contempt of dunces. I’ll say no more, I’ll shut my mouth, since you, Lord, are behind all this.

But I can’t take it much longer.

When you put us through the fire to purge us from our sin, our dearest idols go up in smoke. Are we also nothing but smoke? “Ah, God, listen to my prayer, my cry—open your ears. Don’t be callous; just look at these tears of mine. I’m a stranger here. I don’t know my way— a migrant like my whole family. Give me a break, cut me some slack before it’s too late and I’m out of here.” /

Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done.You didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he’s such a nice God, he’d let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.You’re not getting by with anything. Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire. The day is coming when it’s going to blaze hot and high, God’s fiery and righteous judgment. Make no mistake: In the end you get what’s coming to you—Real Life for those who work on God’s side, but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance, Fire!

all readings for the day: Psalm 39;  Jeremiah 11:1-17; Romans 2:1-11

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pray

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.(source)

 

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listen

Poor Wayfaring Stranger by Red Mountain Church

( I invite you to listen with me to my ever-evolving Lent playlist & Lent Spirituals playlist)

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do

Fast from a meal today. During the time you would have been eating, sit quietly and pray the Jesus Prayer. ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.")

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(see all Lent daybook posts from 2015 here)