Title Lent 1 (Looking back)
Contents
2012.2.26 Lent 1 (Looking at yourself) Joel 02:12-17
Dear all! Lent started last Wednesday.
I hope that the soul that has been spiritually asleep can be awakened.
I hope that the soul that has been separated from God can draw closer to God.
Lent is the first time to look back on yourself.
In verse 12, He said, “Come back to me.”
In fact, Lent begins on the so-called ash wednesday.
Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday. Ashes here symbolize death.
And putting ashes on your head makes you look back on your pride.
That's right. When we are not before God, we forget who we are.
In this Lent, we must stand before God and examine ourselves.
I have to rediscover who I am.
Second, Lent is about repentance.
Verse 12 says, “Even now you are fasting and weeping and mourning…”
Verse 17 says, “Weep and say, O LORD, have mercy on your people.”
That's right. When we stand before God, we can realize how great sinners we are.
Dear all! We also need tears.
We need tears of repentance before God.
I hope that prayers of hot tears will be restored to you during this Lent season.
Third, Lent is about restoring holiness.
Verse 16 says, “Gather the people, sanctify them, gather elders, gather infants and nurses, gather bridegroom
Let the bride come out of the room, and the bride out of the closet…”
It is a message to restore the holiness of God's people.
The word that God commands in common to our God's people is
“Be holy, because I am holy.”
To be holy here means to be set apart.
We need two things to be holy.
One is the desire for holiness.
The other is courage for a holy life.
Pursuing holiness suffers many losses.
Sometimes they are even persecuted. But don't give up.
Dear all! Please restore holiness during this Lenten season.
May the desire for holiness be rekindled.
May the courage to live holy lives soar again.
Celebrate the first Sunday of Lent and reflect on yourself
I bless you in the name of the Lord to have a week of repentance.