Lent is not a time of fasting for blessing as is often presented. It is a time of personal reflection and repentance before God. It is an acknowledgement that we are indeed dust, and to dust our human selves will return. It is the care giving of our souls we seek for the next 40 days.
I am reminded of Jesus’ own temptation, he was consistently tempted with the benefits of wordly living. And, yet he put it all aside to care for the soul, and commit himself to the life God has created Him for.
Job, sat dismally after losing everything worldly, and proclaimed, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” ) Job 42:3-6 He then pursued understanding and right standing with God.
For the next 46 days to Easter, let us consider our soulful selves. Let us give ourselves a spiritual make over after the kind of Esther. Allow our souls to be re-dedicated to God, and long for the love only He can bestow. Allow us to turn away from the world, and acknowledge the Heavenly Home from which we hailed, to which we can return.
For the next 46 days, let us be willing to open ourselves humbly, reflectively, and honestly towards God.
Psalm 51 (New International Version)
Psalm 51
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ;
you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place.7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.17 The sacrifices of God are [c] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
