Lent
March 23, 2021
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.
Do we ever stop to think that we might weary God? What does that mean in our relationship to God? Is God just an entity that exists to meet our perceived needs? Since the Covid outbreak, I order my groceries and other household products from a big box store, pay for them online, and pick it up at the time negotiated. I love that service primarily because I hate to shop. I get frustrated with them when they are temporarily out of one of my routine purchases. I toss a thanks to whoever brings my purchases to my car and wish them a good day. Is God our spiritual big box store?
What kind of relationship does God want with us? God must wish to interact somewhat like a family if God chose to be Immanuel with Us through a child’s birth. Families are complex units of people tied together for eternity through the good and the bad. I could not count the number of times since Covid struct that I have heard a tearful relative say how deeply it hurt when they could not be with their loved one during their illness and eventual death. Parents get frustrated with children; children get impatient with parents. Sister and brothers are more than friends. A hug makes all the difference in the world. Timeouts bring up all kinds of emotions like anger and shame, and embarrassment. When no one else seems to care, family does. First steps are magical. Listening for hours to spine-straightening practice on a musical instrument turns into incredible joy and pride at the end of the year concert.
God is with us through all of life’s journeys, and God wants us to be with God through all those journeys, too. Our relationship with God is reflected in all our other relationships, which can and should make them more meaningful.
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.
Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God;
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God*.
Prayer:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God;
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God*. Amen.
*Near to the Heart of God written by Cleland B. McAfee
https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Near_to_the_Heart_of_God/
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.