Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Lent: A time for transformation
Psalms 6:1-10
Vs 1-3 LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long?
  
Lent often draws the question “what did you give up?”. A large portion of time is spent trying to determine what we can abstain from as a form of fasting. From dietary restrictions to social media use and so on, there are a number of things that can be selected. As we persevere with these personal sacrifices, how much time do we spend in meditation and reflection. Complacency  as Christians is a pitfall that we can all fall into. Lent reminds us of the active relationship we should be pursuing between ourselves and God. Part of this journey requires that we must reflect upon on our lives and be able to openly ask for forgiveness for our sins. Psalms 6, known as one of the Penitential psalms reveals to us David in a position of great distress that he feels in his bones and has left his soul in a state of great anguish. David had come to understand that his sin had set God’s wrath upon him and that frightened every part of his being. It is unclear what sin David had committed as he wrote this but what we can see is that David was aware enough of God’s displeasure.
How often do we spend time contemplating God’s displeasure with our sins? Are we able to recognize our how our thoughts, words and deeds may be seen by God? As we continue in this Lent season, let us spend the time we use in fasting to refocus our lives on Christ so we may continue to pursue a deeper relationship with Him.
 
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, continue to strengthen and guide us during this Lent season. Place within our hearts a desire and drive to know you more and lead lives that are pleasing to your sight. Father, forgive us as we repeatedly stumble and fall. We thank, Lord for your unending grace and mercy and for the sacrifice of your Son for our salvation. In Your holy name we pray,
Amen
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“One of the most staggering truths of the Scriptures is to understand that we do not earn our way to heaven...works have a place--but as a demonstration of having received God's forgiveness, not as a badge of merit of having earned it.”
- Ravi Zacharias
Dr. Ryan Jacob, Long Island Mar Thoma Church, New York
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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