Good morning, friends.
Lent is not named in Scripture, but the practices of repentance, ashes, and returning to God certainly are. As Transfiguration Sunday arrives, we begin our journey toward the cross—a journey that starts on a mountaintop of glory and leads us into honest repentance.
Scripture: Joshua 5:9–12; Exodus 32:15; 2 Kings 1:9; Matthew 17:1–13; Matthew 5:17
Message: Israel stood on the edge of the Promised Land, but before stepping into God’s promise, they needed spiritual preparation. Their circumcision at Gilgal reminds us that God heals and restores when we are willing to face our sin—an important posture as Lent begins.Mountaintop moments change people. Moses, Elijah, Joshua, Peter, James, and John all descended transformed. On the mountain we see Jesus clearly, hear God’s voice, and rest from our struggles. But we cannot stay there. Life waits in the valley, confusing, ordinary, and sometimes painful.Yet even in the valley, Jesus is still with us. We press on toward the victory God has planned.
And So, coming down the mountain is not only a personal transformation; it is communal. God forms a people ready to enter the promise together. A new day begins.
Pray the Lord, circumcise our hearts. Pray God take away our pride, envy, anger, and sloth. Pray Jesus reduces our greed to ashes. Pray the Holy Spirit frees us from gluttony and lust. Pray the Good Shepherd leads us into the Promised Land of divine grace.Pray we are taught to celebrate surrender, healing, sacrifice, and the leadership of Christ our warrior-Lord. Pray we submit to God making us a people of integrity, consecrated to move in Holy Spirit power and joy. Pray we help each other to embrace the change God requires of us and to taste the fruit of divine promises. Pray we are formed into a church bound together in love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 