Today, Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent is a great day to join us in the Bible Challenge if you have not already done so. Click on the Center for Biblical Studies link to the right for a schedule of where we currently are in our reading, or just begin with Genesis 1, Psalm 1 and Matthew 1 -- 3 OT chapters, 1 psalm and 1 New Testament chapter a day. You'll catch up.
The Old Testament readings for today -- Numbers 12-14 -- speak well to the beginning of Lent. Israel is on the verge of coming into the promised land and in spite of this great blessing the people act, well, like people, complaining among themselves, becoming jealous, thinking maybe it was better just to have stayed in Egypt.
Psalm 44 is beautifully paired with the readings from Numbers.
And, if you are following the Bible Challenge schedule you are beginning Luke and hearing the story of the Annunciation, a new promise for the world.
If you're following my recommended schedule of reading Romans after Matthew, you are today finishing Romans, nearing the end of Paul's argument that the good news of Jesus is for all people. All of these readings are great material for Lenten meditations.
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These comments bring to mind the book, "Who Moved My Cheese" The people who were brought out of Egypt started to struggle through the desert. How interesting that Jesus went through His own desert experience as a means to face and deal with the "demons," the use of His own power to allow Jesus to not face why sharing His truth. He was able to face those and move beyond those, making His message so clear and true. It is so hard to face change, yet this is the path to growth. And, how blest we are to have God walk with us as we face these challenges, to help calm us in the anxieties that change can trigger, bringing us to a new awareness. I pray we all have a powerful and Happy Lent.
ReplyDeletePaul, Thank you. Refernce to "Who Moved My Cheese" is timely.
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