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.
For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life (John 3:16).
“In the Christian story God descends to reascend. But He goes down to come up again and bring the whole ruined world up with Him.” (C.S. Lewis; Miracles)
Humility before God is essential, because it is grounded in the life and nature of God. He came down from eternal glory to live with sinful humanity, because sin keeps us separated from God, earth bound, and destined for death. We were created for the emerging God-Life: eternal beings living in fellowship and obedience to God. In our passage from the Psalter, stay focused on God as the human race’s Creator, Lord, Savior, and Deliverer. We can NEVER ascend to God on our own, nor save ourselves from death. The psalmist knew in the Spirit one day God would bring humanity divine help; the miracle necessary to ascend into eternal life. So, God seekers waited in hope.
Psalm 33:13-22 VOICE
13
The Eternal peers down from heaven
and watches all of humanity;
14
He observes every soul
from His divine residence.
15
He has formed every human heart, breathing life into every human spirit;
He knows the deeds of each person, inside and out.
16
A king is not delivered by the might of his army.
Even the strongest warrior is not saved by his own strength.
17
A horse is not the way to victory;
its great strength cannot rescue.
18
Listen, the eye of the Eternal is upon those who live in awe of Him,
those who hope in His steadfast love,
19
That He may save them from the darkness of the grave
and be kept alive during the lean seasons.
20
We live with hope in the Eternal. We wait for Him,
for He is our Divine Help and Impenetrable Shield.
21
Our hearts erupt with joy in Him
because we trust His holy name.
22
O Eternal, drench us with Your endless love,
even now as we wait for You.
The Bible tells the whole story of creation, spiritual death, and rebirth into the God-life. The wait for salvation ended when God descended in Christ and brought redemption from sin to his creation—Christ dying on a cross—in order to lift the world back up in the Spirit to enjoy fellowship with the Creator. Life with God is now available to humble hearts. This is God’s Way of resurrecting lives. Christ makes us spiritually alive and sinless before God; he speaks and we humbly listen, accept his authority, and rise in Spirit-led living. Everyday God extends a Righteous Hand up. Stay humble, let Christ take your hand, and ascend with him into righteous love and living.
1 Peter 3:18 VOICE
The Anointed One suffered for sins once for all time—the righteous suffering for the unrighteous—so that He might bring us to God. Though He died in the flesh, He was made alive again through the Spirit.
Prayer: Lord, as believers, we sense the clashing between the Kingdom and world around us each day. Our choice to follow you in Kingdom living will set us apart from the world, as well as position us to live in places of opposition. We cast down fear. Please empower us with love and trust each day. Grow us in the God-life you have prepared for those who love you. Grab our hands and don’t let go. We place our hope in you alone to make us victorious. In Jesus’ name. Amen.