Volume III

Steams of Living Waters

Entry III
February 2012

My dear co-walkers in our Lord Jesus Christ,

Here we are nearly halfway through our Lenten season, and I am compelled to write a note of encouragement to you.

If you have walked closely to our Lord during this season of Lent and remembrance of Christ, then be encouraged for He has drawn you unto Himself by the power of His love.  “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

If you have not walked closely to our Lord, and struggle even knowing how to, be encouraged for, “He longs to be gracious and rises to show compassion.  Blessed is the one who waits for the Lord.” (Isaiah 30:18)

And, as in my case, if you walked closely to our Lord for the beginning of lent, and allowed life and circumstances to distract you, be encouraged by the words of David,

“With my voice I cry out to the Lord;

With my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.

I pour out my complaint before him;

I tell my trouble before him.

When my spirit faints within me,

You know my way!”

Psalm 142:1-3

Early this week, I sat down, with Bible and journal in hand, desperate for my Lord to show up mightily.  The previous week had been full of demands that could not be left unattended, and wake of the week left me in need of a spiritual realignment.  I needed to hear Him, feel Him, and be touched by Him. 

There I was, ready for something amazing to take place, pen ready, Bible open, and journal open to the next clean page.  And it hit me!  During the rush of the past 5 days, I had forgotten my Lenten commitment to the Lord.  How could that happen?  I was supposed to record every day a way in which I saw the risen Christ invade my redeemed humanity. 

I felt guilty and saddened, and in searching for a familiar verse, I found myself at Psalm 141.  Ah, the Gospel burst through my guilt and I was left with great joy and hope! 

The answer for those in Christ who have temporarily lost their way is simple:

“With your voice, cry out to the Lord!”

The answer for those in Christ who need God’s help is simple:

“With your voice plead for mercy to the Lord!”

The answer for those in Christ who have circumstances they wish to change or trouble that burden them is simple:

“Pour out your complaint before Him, tell your trouble before Him!”

The answer for those in Christ whose spirit is fainting, is simple:

“When your spirit faints within you, You (God) know my way!”

So, I went forth knowing that Christ cares more about my relationship with Him than whether or not I have perfectly kept my Lenten commitment.  He cares more about humility and authenticity than sacrifice.  He cares more about my desire to offer to my life to Him than the imperfection with which I do it. 

As we enter the second half of our Lenten season, I encourage us to take Psalm 141 to heart and cry out to Him with our voice, pleading for His mercy.

May we worship Him fully as a community of believers tomorrow!

Tanya