The Last Judgment, Artist Unknown Italian, mid-16th century c. 1550; Photo by Eric Wilcox; flickr
Meditation
The Thirty-First Day of Lent eases off the judgment, even though it underscores everything. After a couple of days dealing with the wrath of God and recognizing that all will be judged according to their deeds. Of course, Christians have the advantage of having Christ pay the price for the sins. If all of us, one after the other, were judged in a court of law for all our sins in the course of a life time, the old litany of infractions would be lengthy. How would you feel, having everything exposed? The judge pounds the gavel. “Guilty as charged. Sentence? Death.” Then, Jesus steps up and hands the bailiff a paper—Paid in full by Jesus Christ.
The Psalmist writes the same thing.
“Lord, if you punished people for all their sins, no one would be left alive.
4 But you forgive people, so they fear and respect you.
That sigh of relief that each of us feels is only the beginning. We have so much because of what Christ did for us and we can count on the faithfulness of Jesus to save us from disasters. The Psalmist repeats that he waits upon the Lord to turn the circumstances around, because only Jesus can truly be counted on.
Even the prophet Ezekiel foretells a time when Israel’s mountains and plains would no longer devour people up, but give people what they need. So many have been adversely affected in the economy with loss of jobs and income.
The Lord can provide for all our needs. The Psalmist cries out to the Lord. Many have cried out to the Lord. There are starving people in the Sudan and other places around the world. We cry out to the Lord and the Lord can provide for our needs. He gave manna and quail in the desert. He has given trees and food to many prophets over the course of time. God can inspire the haves to part with their money or resources to help the poor and hungry. All we have comes from the source—which is God. If we claim it is our doing, we fail to recognize the greatness of God, who has blessed us.
The prophet reminds us always of who is doing the work. “I will…” multiple people, crops, animals…etc. Everything we have, we owe to God. One of the reasons tithing is so important. It acknowledges who is doing what to whom. God is providing for our needs. We owe God our thanksgiving and praise.
We deserve judgment and punishment. We receive blessings and abundance. The New Testament lesson in Luke deals with Christ’s last minute instructions to the disciples—training them to understand the Scriptures and the messages Jesus shared—before he ascended into heaven.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Click on the Scriptures for links to biblegateway.com, where many translations of the same text enhance the understanding the readings, which come from the (RCL) Revised Common Lectionary – Daily Lectionary
Readings. I add a Daily Prayer to bless you with God’s Favor.
Enjoy the Daily Encouragement and Bible Study and may you be inspired to be your best self for this Season of Lent.
Lenten Music
All My Hope on God is Founded – Kings College Chapel Cambridge Choir
The Last Day of Judgment
“The Last Judgment” by Jim Forest. flickr
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Season of Lent Art
Christ as Judge in the Last Judgment
“Last Judgment” Lucas Cranach the Elder German (Wittenburg, Weimar), 1472 – 1553 Photo by Eric Wilcox; flickr
Come unto Me, Ye Weary – Ben Herre
Season of Lent Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20130;Ezekiel%2033:10-16;Revelation%2011:15-19&version=KJV;GNT;NIV;NCV;ERV
(multiple versions)
Thirty-First Day of Lent
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
The “Shepherd’s Psalm” is worth memorizing in its whole, but at least verses 1 -3.
Psalm 23
King James Version (KJV)
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Season of Lent Music
Father Hear the Prayer We Offer — Exultate Singers
The Last Judgment
“Last Judgment icon (detail)” Photo by Jim Forest; flickr
Single Bible Study chapter to study
King James Version (KJV)
130 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
“Damned, Lintel, Last Judgment Tympanum, Central Portal, West Facade, Cathédrale St-Lazare, Autun” Photo by Steven Zucker: flickr
4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3020/2834795550_36e1e8a0ab_b_d.jpg
6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
“Night Watchman” Rothenburg, highly recommend the Night Watchman tour. Photo by Raymond Barlow; flickr
7 Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, thank you for Jesus paying the price of our pardon. Thank you for providing for our needs. Forgive us for claiming credit when it is due to you. We ask that you help us to trust you and give you all the credit in Jesus’ name. In Jesus name, Amen
Season of Lent Music
Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive
Thank You God, for Saving Me – Chris Tomlin
Season of Lent Humor
I Cry Unto the Lord
Jeff Larson. the backpew.com Used by permission
I hope you found a chance to encounter your Creator and experience the Love of God and the joy of Christ in this Season of Lent.
Conclusion
The Thirty-First Day of Lent celebrates the Good news. We deserve the book thrown at us–judgment; we are judged and condemned, but redeemed. We receive not only forgiveness and pardon, but we are invited to become heirs to family of God. What an unbelievable circumstance. Almost too good to be true.
In films and stories, if an author wrote an ending where someone deserved death by whatever means, and someone stepped up to say he paid the price already, we would think the story unreal, contrived and not credible. That is why it is so hard for people to trust and obey. It’s hard to believe that someone would do all that for little ol’ us.
Yet, Christ did and will do that very thing. He has paid in full for each of us. We only have to believe—have faith; trust and obey. God will provide for our every need in the midst of tragedy and challenges. Praise be to God
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. Please like if it was meaningful. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
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