Day Twenty-One
When we enter the season of Lent, with so much of our focus on repentance as we meditate on the cross, it is important that we do not let our image of God go askew. This 40-day journey is not meant to inspire fear of judgment or cause us to withdraw from an image of God as an angry and vengeful deity, one who is eager to catch us in our sin and make us feel despised. That is not what Lent is about. Lent is always about God’s love, mercy, and grace shown supremely in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
Yet there are many who struggle with that false image of God, and not just during Lent. Sometimes when we are face-to-face with the sin in our lives, immersed in the shame of feeling that we have disappointed or even angered God, it can cause us to withdraw. Like a child who is afraid of being punished, we lie about what we’ve done—to others, to ourselves, and we even may think we’ve gotten away with lying about it to God. And as that shame festers in our souls it becomes toxic, which can then further distort our image of God. It whispers horrible lies to us, saying, “You can’t go to God with this. You’ve disappointed him too many times. He has given up on you.” As our image of God becomes distorted, we can grow even more afraid of coming to him openly and honestly. It is a vicious downward spiral, feeding on itself in a frenzy of self-hatred and fear.
In Paul’s letter to Titus there is a wonderful passage that can help ground us if we’re falling into that cycle, where he writes:
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”—Titus 3:4-7
When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us…
The salvation of God is rooted in kindness and love, because God is love. Even as he hung on the cross, Jesus asked God to forgive those who had tortured him and put him there. If there was ever a picture of the “tender mercy” of God, you’ll find it there. It is the same tender mercy that David leaned on when confronted with his own fall into sin, lies, and deceit:
“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.”—Psalm 51:1-2
As you travel to Jerusalem with Jesus, be sure to follow his heart as well as his footsteps, for his heart is filled with love for you. As one anonymous 19th century preacher put it, he is “the fountain of all gentleness, all kindness, and all good.”
All gentleness…all kindness…all good…this is the one who invites you to walk with him.
Come to Jesus, He will never cast you out
Come you thirsty, put aside your fear, your doubt
With great gentleness, with great gentleness
He draws you, how He draws you,
See how He draws you to Himself
Read the rest of the lyrics here.
Questions for Reflection
1) Have you ever had to wrestle with a distorted image of God? What was at the root of that distortion? Spend some time in prayer asking God to clear away any image you have that is not true to who he is.
2) Are there specific Scriptures or practices that you lean on to be reminded of the kindness and love of God? What in your life helps you counter the voices that would whisper lies to you soul?
3) The Hebrew word “chesed” occurs over 200 times in the Old Testament. It is a very rich word with deep meaning that is difficult to capture in English, and has been represented by words and phrases like:
lovingkindness
steadfast love
goodness
favor
mercy
loyalty
devotion
covenant love
Which of these definitions of “chesed” resonates most with you? Why?
4) The song for today includes is built around an invitation:
Come to Jesus, He will never cast you out
Come you thirsty, put aside your fear, your doubt
With great gentleness, with great gentleness
He draws you, how He draws you,
See how He draws you to Himself
How have you experienced Jesus drawing you to himself? Spend some time in prayer offering your “yes” to his invitation to draw even deeper into his lovingkindness and covenant love.
5) Read and reflect on this verse. Let it lead you into prayerful worship and gratitude:
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:
‘I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’”—Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)