Shade Tree Wisdom 2/20/12

          Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, falling this year on February 22nd.  A time for reflection, but much more.

          What do you do when Guilt overwhelms you?  Promise to read the Bible more?   Set special times for prayer?   Get up earlier each day for devotions?  Or what?

          All good in themselves?  But Lent directs our attention to the Cross.  There we see how serious is our condition.

          The hymn has this:
              “Ye who think of sin but lightly,
               Nor suppose the evil great,
               Here may judge its nature rightly,
               Here its cost ,may estimate.” LSB 451,3

          The cross made possible the Lord’s promise which Jeremiah spoke, “For I will forgive their iniquities, and remember their sin no more.” Jer. 31,34

          And that Psalm, so rich in forgiveness.  Please read it. (Psalm 103).  Special attention to words like that, :who forgiveth all thine iniquites; who healeth all thy diseases.” and “As far as the east is from the west so far has He removed our transgressions from us”. V.3.12.

          And Hebrews chapter 10 speaks of the sacrifice of Christ and as a result of that, promises this, v.17, “their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.”

          That is what Lent is about.  It assures us who are often careless and unheeding, that there is “forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.”  For the Cross of Christ does that, it solves our problem of sin by paying the price in full.

          Spend these Lenten hours in worship and wonder with me, won’t you.  It will strengthen and refresh a weary soul along the way.

GPD 2/20/12