Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.
Congregation, today begins lent, a time we are given the “privilege of repenting” (Acts 11:18 NLT). Repentance is a turning from death, sin, and worldly ways to face our glorious God who freely gives life, joy, and godly disciplines. Throughout church history the practice of fasting during lent has often been a spiritual discipline that forms the people of God. This is not a scriptural command, but a wise practice. Lent is not about rules, but a relationship with the living God, which starts with recognizing our humble circumstances and the all encompassing goodness and love of our God. As we start our Lenten journey this year I encourage you to read the following prayer by Scotty Smith and Elyse Fitzpatrick.
And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matt. 6:16–18 ESV)
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. (Rev. 19:7)
“Dear Jesus, it’s Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. For the next forty days we have the privilege of fixing our gaze on you—the Author and Perfecter of our faith. For your glory and our growth, we ask you to overwhelm us with fresh mercies and irrepressible grace in the coming weeks.
Don’t let this be a typical Lenten season, Jesus. Saturate and empower it with the gospel. It’s all about you, Jesus. It is all about your finished work—not our constant failings and vain promises of doing better and doing more. Whatever fasting we may choose to practice, may it be as a betrothed Bride, not as gloomy hypocrites. Our deepest repentance is always born out of seeing more of your beauty, more of the gospel, more of you, Jesus.
Indeed, Jesus, we begin Lent today anticipating our wedding, not our funeral. The law has been fulfilled and judgment is complete; the dowry has been paid in full and our wedding dress is your righteousness; the invitations have been sent out and the date has been secured. We praise, bless, and adore you.
Over these next forty days, intensify our hunger and fuel our hope. Break us that you might beautify us. Increase our love for holiness as you supersize our love for your glory. Free us from our idols as you reveal their emptiness and silliness in comparison with your beauty and bounty. We pray in your exalted and worship-worthy name. Amen.”[1]
[1] Scotty Smith and Elyse Fitzpatrick, Every Season Prayers: Gospel-Centered Prayers for the Whole of Life (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2016).
Thanks for this Lent message of the importance of prayer and having a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.