From Now Until Easter - Slips, Trips and Falls

From Ash Wednesday until Easter, I will post from Lent and Easter devotionals offered online. Tonight's post features excerpts written by Rev. Tim Ehrhardt, currently serving as a Clinical Pastoral Education chaplain resident at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

It is inevitable that we will stumble and fall. The real issue is how we discern the divine in such situations. Our view of God matters. If we see God as primarily punitive, looking to put heavy loads on us and cause us to slip when we get out of line, then guilt and shame will likely dominate our thoughts. Yet, if we see God as gracious, merciful, kind, and good—all the time—thoughts of security and peace will likely be our default mode. 

The psalmist gives us a view of God as the One who delights in us, has us by the hand, has our backs when we stumble or mess up, and is our source of firm support in difficult times. This is a vision of God who willingly receives our confession, extends forgiveness, and provides what we need.

Prayer: 

God of all the ages, 

                 You have revealed Your grace in our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we wait patiently on Your mercies, strengthen our steps to live in Your justice, so that with our hands held firmly by You, we may hear and accomplish Your will, through Christ, who lights the way to life everlasting. Amen.

* Such a Thing

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Jude 1:24-25a NLT

It was the old slip, trip and fall routine. Have you heard it? The voice in my head running the litany of my past sins and trying very hard to convince me that I would slip. I would trip up. I would fall away. After all, "so-and-so did and they were a better Christian" than me...  

Can you imagine such a thing? Oh, I looked around a little bit, saw and recognized the memory lane markers and messes of my life, but I wasn't buying it. Not paying any more tolls on that road. My life has been bought with a price. It was paid in full at Calvary. I am redeemed. In my heart sprang forth the music, ♪♫ In my hurt, at my worst, when my world falls down - ♪♫ Not for a moment, will You forsake me...♪♫

Then I turned to His Word and found His Truth - His Truth that negates the facts of our lives. The facts being who and what I was; however, His Truth is who I am...through Christ. Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you [me] from falling away and will bring you [me] with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Able to keep me from falling away? Can you even fathom being without a single fault?!? Only God can do such a thing...

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for the Truth of Your Word. Thank You for salvation and redemption. Thank You for loving us enough to send Your Son to reconcile us to You while we were yet sinners. It's overwhelming - this love You have for us. Help us to help others find Your Truth. In Jesus' Name we pray.