Preparing for Victory.
When you run a race, it’s common to have a big meal to “carb-load” the night before. People will often eat pasta and make sure their body has plenty of fuel for all the energy they are about to burn.
Last Sunday we learned about King Saul doing the opposite with his army. (1 Samuel 14) He foolishly forced his six hundred men to take an oath to eat nothing prior to and during the battle with the Philistines. That was not something that God had ordered; it was Saul trying to look spiritual to his men, when in reality his inner spirituality was taking a nose-dive. As a result, that critical error ended up costing his warriors the ability to finish off the opposing army and get a victory.Outward traditions that don’t reflect a true heart posture with God always end in legalistic pain.
If Saul would have actually sought the LORD on what he should do, I think God’s plan would have had a completely different outcome. But instead of blessing and success, the chapter ends with dismal failure. Saul is rash and reckless with his words and as a result, he turned the hearts of his son and his army against him. He just quit fighting and went home, even though he had the Philistines on the run.
I encourage you to tune in and follow along in our series, “Lessons from Three Kings” by clicking here.
Reflection, Renewal and Preparation.
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the day that marks the beginning of the Lenten season. In some churches Lent is celebrated for the 40 days prior to Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians are replicating Jesus’ sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is intended to be a collective season of reflection, renewal and preparation. It is a stretch of time that is marked by fasting, both from food and pleasurable things.
To observe Lent, some will give up eating certain things, while others will give up some other time-consuming activity: watching TV, social media or sleeping in. To fast from good things is intended to create space and time in your life to focus on Jesus and have more time for prayer and growing close to Him.
Others will decide to take up something during Lent that would reflect devotion and commitment to the LORD. I have heard of some getting up earlier in the morning or staying up later at night to get extra devotional time with the Lord. Some will begin to serve others in sacrificial ways or pour some more time into serving in a ministry.
The purpose of Lent is to increase intimacy with Jesus.
Lent is a man-made tradition; it was not prescribed in the Bible. It’s up to you how you would like to use this season to grow closer to Jesus. This has been a very special stretch of time for me every year. I want to invite you to consider observing Lent with me this year and growing closer to Jesus.
Prayerfully and thoughtfully enter into Lent.
It’s so important that you understand that fasting and observing Lent will be an incredible blessing if you prayerfully and thoughtfully enter into it. If you rashly decide to be a “fasting hero” by doing something that the LORD hasn’t given you the grace for, you will only be disappointed, possibly even bitter, and as a result, fail to accomplish the purpose of your sacrifice, which is to draw closer to God.
I learned a few years ago that sacrificing more doesn’t always lead you to a place of more intimacy. In a zealous moment I decided to fast meat for all of Lent. I did not sense from the LORD that this was what I should do, but the thought popped into my head, so I did it. After about a week I was totally miserable and constantly trying to figure out how to adjust my meals to honor my fasting commitment. After just a few weeks I decided to end my fast of meat, feeling like I had let God down, and realizing that I didn’t have the grace from God to endure this fast.
Lesson learned: enter into Lent prayerfully and thoughtfully!
I’ve also learned in recent years that Sundays during Lent are “feast days” where you can break your fast. This makes Sundays extra special and breaks up the longer fast as well.
Whatever you decide to do for these next 40 days, my hope and prayer is that you will position yourself so that you will grow in your relationship and closeness to God.
Lent, if observed out of a desire to grow in intimacy with God is a beautiful season.
I look forward to seeing all of you who choose to worship with us in the Dome this Sunday at either 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. All safety precautions, masks, and social distancing apply.
You can also live stream our 11:00 a.m. service on Facebook and YouTube
If you missed last week's message from the series "Lessons from Three Kings: Week 7 "Samuel and Hurtful Words," click here.
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