"The blood of Jesus is the death of despair." - Charles Spurgeon
There is much over which to despair in our world. Creation itself groans in pains of childbirth (Romans 8:22). Ours is a world passing away (1 John 2:17). And for those brave enough to examine their own heart, we can affirm what the prophet Jeremiah says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?’ (Jeremiah 17:9).
The season of Lent gives us the ability to enact in a small way the life of a believer: a tunnel of despair along the path to hope. This life is a hallway, but Christ is the door where we find pleasures forevermore (John 10:9, Psalm 16:11). Our days here are toil and trouble, but the Lord has been and will be our dwelling place for all generations (Psalm 90:10,1).
In Lent we despair over our sin, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2). We don’t ignore, avoid, or wallow in our sin, we consider, confess, and repent of our sin. And we celebrate and receive the forgiveness of God through the finished work of Christ.
Father, may our days be marked with celebration and freedom, even as we consider our own sins. Thank you for Jesus, in His name, amen.
Rejoicing,
AB