Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.
God is calling us into perfection by renewing us and making us like Christ.
“The Divine Judge is the defender, the rescuer.” (C. S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms)
In this chapter of Psalms, the writer is praying for all the nations on the earth to praise the One who created the nations in the first place. During this prayer, the Psalmist is asking for God’s favor upon His people. This passage can be applied to what is happening in our world today. I believe that the revival that started at Asbury University will continue to expand to where the whole world will come to the light of Christ.
Psalm 67:1-7 (NLT Translation)
- May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us.
- May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere.
- May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you.
- Let the whole world sing for joy, because you govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world.
- May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you.
- Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us.
- Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him
In this passage from Matthew’s gospel, Jesus is speaking about the idea of separating the sheep and the goats. In this specific section, it is titled “The Final Judgment.” He’s talking about when we appear before the judgment seat of Christ. While it is important for us to help one another out, we need to be careful so that we are not placed in a position where others would take advantage of us. What we need to do is to ask for the Lord’s guidance for when we go and help those who need it.
Matthew 25:31-46 (NLT Translation)
- “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37. Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38. Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39. When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40. “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ 41. “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ 44. “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ 45. “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ 46. “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for our nations around the world to draw closer to You. Let our words and our actions be a reflection of who You are. Let Your Son shine through us so that others will see the light of Christ in all of us. Show us what it really means to live the Godly life. May Your wisdom and grace continue to guide us through the hard times as well as the good times. In His mighty name I pray, amen.
Written by: Curtis Tumicki