Day 2 of Lent: March 6, 2025

Scripture: Deuteronomy 7:6-9 (NIV)

"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession… Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."

Reflection

Lent is a season of reflection, a time to recognize where we have fallen short and to draw closer to the heart of God. It is a journey that invites us to let go of what weighs us down and hold fast to the truth of who God is—faithful, loving, and unwavering in promises.

The words of Deuteronomy remind us that our identity is not found in what we achieve or how strong we appear. Israel was not chosen because of their greatness but because of God’s steadfast love. Their redemption was not earned but given. The same is true for us. God’s love does not waver based on our successes or failures; it remains constant, calling us forward into deeper trust.

During Lent, we are invited to bring our whole selves before God—not just our strengths but also our struggles. We do not have to pretend to have it all together. Grace meets us where we are, making space for honesty, transformation, and renewal.

It can be difficult to come before God with open hands, especially when we carry burdens of regret, doubt, or disappointment. But the invitation of Lent is not one of shame—it is one of grace. Just as God remained faithful to Israel, God remains faithful to us, holding us in love and leading us toward renewal.

Have we trusted in our own strength more than in God’s? Have we tried to earn grace rather than receive it? Lent is a time to release these burdens, to acknowledge that God’s love is not something we achieve but something we receive.

Even as we acknowledge our need for grace, we move forward with hope. The God who led Israel out of slavery is the same God who leads us today. Friends, God is not distant or indifferent—God is near, shaping us, renewing us, and reminding us that we are our Holy Creator's treasured possession.

This Lenten season, let us walk with confidence, knowing that we are held by a love that does not fade. We may come with ashes, but we are moving toward alleluia.

Closing Prayer

Faithful God, thank you for your love that does not depend on our strength but on your promise. In this season of Lent, help us to come before you with honesty, trusting in your grace. Lead us toward hope, reminding us that we are your people, your treasured possession. May we walk in faith, knowing that your love is unshakable and your promises endure forever. Amen.