God's Guidance and Love

March, 3 2017
Opening Hymns:
553 And Are We Yet Alive http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh553.sht


Scripture Reading:
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
 2:1 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near-
 2:2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come.
 2:12 Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
 2:13 rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.
 2:14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God?
 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly;
 2:16 gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy.
 2:17 Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep. Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"


Message:
For me Lent is a time of reflection. It is time to reflect on the amazing grace and forgiveness we have been given. And it is also a time I think about the sins that lead me to need that grace, and the changes I should make it my life. It can be an uncomfortable time of confronting a side of ourselves that we like to ignore. However, in reflecting on our misdeeds we can more fully heal, forgive ourselves, and more readily accept the forgiveness that the Lord gives each one of us.


The Old Testament has a lot of scriptures that can be hard to read. Sometimes they make me wonder if the "Old Testament God" is the same Lord that teaches love, forgiveness, and offers us salvation in the New Testament. Many times in the Old Testament the people are sinful, and God sometimes strikes against them for their sins. Even Job, who is said to be righteous, has so many misfortunes befall him. In today's scripture we hear the prophet Joel call to the people to weep before the Lord and plead with him to "Spare your people." Joel uses powerful images of joyus occasions being set aside for people to fast and pleed to the Lord. What is this scripture teaching us on this day?


Today's scripture, though challenging, can teach us many things. If we read all of Joel we will later hear of God's mercy for His people, and deliverance. Indeed, many times throughout the Old Testament, God hears the cry of His people and forgives them. We see the people humbling themselves before the Lord, and asking for forgiveness and mercy. The Lord granted that forgiveness to them, as he grants it to each of us today.


I'm grateful that I don't live in a time when locus and famine cause such despair and hardship. The scripture reminds me of how blessed I am to have a warm house, and no worry of food shortage, and few hardships. It also reminds me of the blessing of Jesus' sacrifical love that saves each of us from sin. It is so important to recognize when we sin, and to turn from our sin to follow a path that God would have us go down... but what a blessing to have that forgiveness so freely given to us. What a blessing to be given the chance to seek out that forgiveness.


As I reflect on the Old and New Testaments I am so happy to hear of how God listens to, forgives, and shows His people how to live good lives througout time. He loves us and forgives us to this day, and will continue to guide our actions. The scriptures help show us the life that God calls us to live. They also show us God's love and forgiveness. As we go through Lent let us really listen to the scriptures to hear how God guides us, and how much He loves us.


Time of Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Your great love and mercy that you have given us. Let us continue to grow and learn about the good deeds that you would have us do, that we may share Your love and grace to those we meet. Let us be a light for this world. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
 369 Blessed Assurance http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh369.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.


Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God