NazNet - Lent 2000

From
Nail Prints to Foot Prints...
Following Jesus

A devotional for

Sunday, April 30
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Reason to Praise
There are many words that make sense in the church, but lose their "specialness" in the "everydayness" of the world. I believe one of those words is 'whosoever.' I can't remember the last time I used it or heard someone else use it in conversation.

As I pondered the "lostness" of this word 'whosoever', I began to wonder why? I think that our world today is so 'me' and individual oriented that we have lost some sense of the corporate. We are so consumed with consuming, trusting in things and the latest human wisdom, that we have lost touch with ourselves, with others, and ultimately with God.

Lent provided us with a time to reflect in preparation for the triumph of Easter. Today's morning Psalm 146 reminds of those reasons to rejoice, and encourages us as it starts with a resounding, "Hallelujah!" It then proceeds to explain what we have to rejoice about. Peterson's paraphrase in The Message presents it well:

Don't put your life in the hands of experts who know nothing of life, of salvation life. Mere humans don't have what it takes; when they die, their projects die with them. Instead, get help from the God of Jacob, put your hope in God and know real blessing! God made sky and soil, sea and all the fish in it. He always does what he says—he defends the wronged, he feeds hungry. God frees prisoners—he gives sight to the blind, he lifts up the fallen. God loves good people, protects strangers, takes the side of orphans and widows, but makes short work of wicked. God is in charge—always.

Given the truth presented here, there really is no reason to trust in earthly things or wisdom that will fail us, and that falls so short of God's best. These are refreshing words for those who are weary of the mistreatment and injustice in life. The good news is for the 'whosoever' who feel wronged and hungry, who suffer in prisons (literally and self-made), and who are relationally struggling as strangers, orphans, and widows. We are all included! That is glorious reason to rejoice!

Max Lucado in his book, In the Eye of the Storm, states:

"Worship is the 'thank you' that refuses to be silenced." Let us lift our voices in praise and hallelujahs to the God who is in control, who knows our every need, and whose mercy is for all of us. Whosoever surely means me -- and you! Hallelujah!

Tina Hunt
West Liberty, OH USA

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Prayer

Father, sometimes the struggles of life and our lack of focus on You crowd in so powerfully that we forget what we have to rejoice about. We tend to trust in things that we can touch and see, forgetting that we are to be a people who are to walk by faith, not sight. Forgive us and set us straight. Create in us the energy and desire to lift our voices in praise that refuses to be silent for all that have done and promise yet to do in our lives. Thank you in Jesus name.

Amen and Hallelujah!

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Suggested Daily Scripture Reading
[Psalms 146, 147] [Exod. 14:5-22] [ I John 1:1-7] [John 14:1-7]

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Visit:
1999 Advent/Christmas Series
Epiphany Series

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You may send e-mail comments
or suggestions toYvonne Edwards.
Edited: Apr. 17, 8:25 p.m.
Page designed by: Cecil Wallace
Prayer by: Tina Hunt
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