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.
“Pitch your demands heaven-high and they’ll be met.” (C.S. Lewis; Poems)
Psalm 78:23-39
23
But he commanded the skies to open;
he opened the doors of heaven.
24
He rained down manna for them to eat;
he gave them bread from heaven.
25
They ate the food of angels!
God gave them all they could hold.
26
He released the east wind in the heavens
and guided the south wind by his mighty power.
27
He rained down meat as thick as dust—
birds as plentiful as the sand on the seashore!
28
He caused the birds to fall within their camp
and all around their tents.
29
The people ate their fill.
He gave them what they craved.
30
But before they satisfied their craving,
while the meat was yet in their mouths,
31
the anger of God rose against them,
and he killed their strongest men.
He struck down the finest of Israel’s young men.
32
But in spite of this, the people kept sinning.
Despite his wonders, they refused to trust him.
33
So he ended their lives in failure,
their years in terror.
34
When God began killing them,
they finally sought him.
They repented and took God seriously.
35
Then they remembered that God was their rock,
that God Most High[a] was their redeemer.
36
But all they gave him was lip service;
they lied to him with their tongues.
37
Their hearts were not loyal to him.
They did not keep his covenant.
38
Yet he was merciful and forgave their sins
and did not destroy them all.
Many times he held back his anger
and did not unleash his fury!
39
For he remembered that they were merely mortal,
gone like a breath of wind that never returns.
Revelation 3:19-22 NLT
19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Please take time to read over our passages for today. I will be teaching on them and leading a discussion this evening during our Lenten Bible Study at 7PM. I hope you will plan to join us in person at Connect2Christ Church or online through our website as we explore the Scriptures together.
Prayer: Father, please help us gain a greater awareness of how deeply you love us and desire to commune with us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.