Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
As we journey through Lent, the path begins to lead us from repentance into promise, from sorrow into joy, from death to Resurrection. Today’s readings are chock full of evidence of God’s extravagant love and fidelity to us, God’s beloveds. I summarize what the readings pour out in a simple bulleted list. I pray that simply seeing the list, in addition to praying the full readings bowls you over with gratitude and brings you into deeper intimacy with the One who knows you better than you know yourself and who loves you with an unfathomable love.
From Isaiah:
- God answers us
- God helps us
- God keeps us in covenant love
- God restores us
- God frees us when we’re imprisoned
- God calls us from darkness into light
- God leads us from barrenness to vibrant pasture
- God alleviates our hunger and thirst; God protects us from harshness
- God shows us pity
- God leads and guides us to springs of water
- God makes a way for us even through mountains (where there seems to be no way); God makes our paths level
- God comforts us
- God shows mercy to us when we are afflicted
From the Psalm:
- God is gracious and merciful
- God is slow to anger
- God is infinitely kind
- God is good and compassionate
- God is faithful in all God’s words
- God is holy in all God’s works
- God lifts us up when we fall and raises us up when we are bowed down
- God is just in all God’s ways
- God is near to all who call upon him
From the Gospel:
- Jesus is always at work [for us, doing the Father’s will]
- God the Father raises the dead and gives life; God the Son gives life freely to us
- Jesus assures us that whoever hears his word and believes in the Father has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has passed from death to life
I encourage you to read the scripture statements and personalize them. “God answers me. God helps me. God keeps me in covenant love. etc” As Isaiah says, even if those closest to you, the ones who are supposed to protect, nurture, and love you the most – if they abuse, mistreat, or forsake you, God will never forget nor forsake you. God the Father is a good, good Father. We can trust in the unconditional, covenant love of our good God. This lavishly loving Father offers eternal life to YOU through the Son. Take comfort in these rich scriptures today and know that God’s promises are for YOU. God is faithful to YOU. God loves YOU.
Elizabeth Wells