Page 10 - Lenten Devotional 2021 updated 01-21

Surely God’s power is larger than ours. God’s promise is bigger than
ours. God’s purpose is greater than ours. According to 1 Corinthians
2:9, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the
heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love
Him.”

Fasting temporarily suspends our dependence on earthly resources so
we can rely more deeply on God’s promises. It introduces us to a
deeper relationship spiritually with our Source.

Preparation for Restoration
As we embark upon this Lent season, we ready ourselves to rid from our
lives the things holding us back from walking in line with what God has
for us. His purpose and plan for our lives is a perfect one. And we are,
well, imperfect people. We stray daily from the path, heading in
directions that either set us back in our journey or bring us right back to
where we started. Outside influences and we ourselves deter and detract
us from the mission at hand: to live a life pleasing to God.
Thankfully, with each new day, we are granted another opportunity to
get back on track. During Lent we offer repentance for wrongs done
and seek spiritual restoration and renewal. We lay claim to the
redemption provided through the sacrifice of the Lamb and receive the
forgiveness and grace it afforded us.

We know the story well. The children of Israel followed the explicit
instructions of Moses in preparation for Passover, marking the doorposts
with the blood of sacrificial goats and lambs, and remaining inside until
morning. (Exodus 12:21-27) Even as Jesus selflessly took on the
assignment of laying down His life for us, He made preparations and
readied Himself to do so. Forty days He spent fasting and praying. In
this present day, we must make preparations in our lives for the
restoration we seek from God. There is a mighty work that can be done
in our lives if we just prepare ourselves to receive it.

A 40-day Journey through a Season of Fasting and Praying 12