Historically lent is a season for the Church to enter into the dust and ashes of repentance. We beg for mercy in repentance for sins. This lent we want to empower you to follow the trajectory of repentance to prepare your heart for worship- ashes to glory, repentance to reverence, mercy to majesty, humbling yourself to exalt the giver of mercy.
Psalm 28 follows this trajectory, inviting worshippers to lift our voices to cry out for mercy in the midst of our trials, troubles, sin, and struggles. God responds to our cry for mercy as a parent responds to the cry of a child who lifts their voice for help, from hurt, hunger, or fear. Verse 2 offers a paradigm to cry for mercy- To the Lord for help, lifting our hands in surrender, turning our hearts to the sanctuary of the Lord. During lent we cry out for mercy. God’s grace meets us and moves us into majesty. Verse 6 -9 highlight this trajectory- Blessed is our God who hears our cry! He is our shield and strength, the song of our salvation, our sanctuary and safety, and our sovereign shepherd! Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the story of Blind Bartemeus, a beggar standing on the roadside crying out to Jesus for mercy. “Jesus son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowd rebuked the beggar, but he kept begging and crying out: “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and heard the beggar’s plea. Jesus healed. Luke 18:43 records that “immediately he began glorifying God, and all the people who saw it praised God!” When cries for mercy meet the Maker, the songs of worship flow from our heart. The Biblical paradigm is clear- Our cry from the dust is to the only One we can truly trust. We can put our heart in His hands. Our sin and human plans that are built on a foundation of sand can be redeemed again- when we cry for mercy, turning to our Maker, and ride the current of worship to majesty. This Lenten season sing of mercy. Join the chorus of beggars and bystanders who know Jesus is the only hope we have for forgiveness, a foundation, and a future. But do not stop there. Worship! Allow your heart to be lifted from ashes to glory, participating in the real time Easter story that moves from cries of mercy to crowning God with majesty.
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