God Is Pleased for His Righteousness Sake
Creation, Spitzer Space Telescope NASA/CXC/SAO/JPL-Caltech/STScI
Meditation
The Twenty-Seventh Day of Lent is an indictment about those of us, who say we are followers of God, but fail to listen to what God says. God proclaims through his prophet, Isaiah, “I am screaming like a woman giving birth—so great is my frustration with you. You don’t listen.”
Any parent or guardian, teacher, or even a babysitter, will relate to the feeling of trying to tell a child what they should do and having them turn a deaf ear to direction. God is frustrated with people that are his own. He will reign some terror on the earth as a result—mountains fall, valleys with rivers dry up and pools become desert wastelands.
The prophet says you will be ashamed of your station that has given credence to false beliefs. You have created ‘things’ that you value more than God’s laws or God’s truths. You claim to be perfect, but you don’t get it. There are none so deaf as those who choose to—who will not hear. There are none so blind as those who choose to—who will not see.
God exalted his truth for his righteousness sake; expanded his law and made it honored by all.
Now, some might say, “Well that was the prophet speaking to the Jews.” We know from prior lessons that “all Scripture is profitable” for our instruction. Furthermore, the New Testament lesson in Colossians 1 is a prayer for the church at Colossae to have wisdom and spiritual understanding.
We only ask for things we lack. We praise God for things we have.
So the church in Colossae struggled with lacking wisdom and spiritual understanding, just like the prophet, Isaiah, preached to God’s chosen people, the Jews. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Paul writes to the Colossian church about the mysteries of heaven—God has delivered us from darkness through the Creator, the Son of God, the Word of God (as we have learned in earlier lessons in John 1)—the visible image of the invisible God.
Instead of being in line for the devastation we deserve—as the prophet, Isaiah, preached, we are brought safely to the Kingdom of Light, the place where God is, Though undeserved, our sins are forgiven and we are set free.
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
Come, Let Us To The Lord Our God – Virtual Church
Colossae – Modern Turkey
The fertile Lycos valley, home to the ancient cities of Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Colossae. This picture was taken from the hill of Laodicea. Modern Turkey; Photo by Ian Smith; flickr
Map of Ancient Colossae
Map of Colossae; Photo by biblos.com
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
St. Paul
“St Paul” writes to Church at Colossae Photo by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P.; flickr
With a Broken Heart and Contrite Sigh – Mars Hill Church’s worship band, Northern Conspiracy,
Season of Lent Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20146;Isaiah%2059:9-19;Acts%209:1-20&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;NIV
(multiple versions)
Twenty-Seventh 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
Audi Benigne Conditor (O Kind Creator) – Choir of Ely
Ruins of Colossae
Ancient Ruins of Colossae, Turkey; “Sign for Colossae” Photo by Ian Scott; flickr
Single Bible Study chapter to study
King James Version (KJV)
14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
“Fear Itself” Photo by Christi Nielsen; flickr
15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
“Drout” Photo by Bugsy; flickr
16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
Love Ashamed, Photo by SigNote Cloud; flickr
18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord’s servant?
Hear See Speak; “IMG_9292: Hear, See, Speak” Photo by Lee Sam; flickr
20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
21 The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
The ‘Pillars Of Creation’: a view of the Eagle Nebula from the Hubble Space Telescope Photo by NASA.gov
This Kingdom – Hillsong featuring Darlene Zschech
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, Forgive us for our failure to listen to your guidance, your wisdom. Empower us to be good followers and give you all the credit and glory, instead of taking credit of perfection in our treatment of others in the church. Grant us spiritual wisdom and understanding. In Jesus name, Amen
Season of Lent Music
O the Bitter Shame and Sorrow – Salil Jha
Bless The Lord – Son Of Man, Son of Righteousness – Tye Tribbett & G.A.
Season of Lent Humor
Sin and Cover Ups
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 Twenty-Seventh Day of Lent reveals just how frustrated the invisible God of Light is with followers. On earth, spiritual deafness and blindness is a choice. God offers the truth of all creation, but God’s disappointment at those who claim perfection but miss the boat dominates the prophet, Isaiah’s, proclamation.
Paul gives thanks that God’s mercy and grace has given the church access to the Kingdom of God, despite the lack of wisdom and spiritual understanding. Through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, followers have freedom to enter into the Kingdom of God. Redemption is at hand. Celebrate that freedom in Christ.
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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