Lenten Devotion for Saturday, February 27

Today's lessons:

Psalm 27

Psalm 118:26-29

Matthew 23:37-39

Author:

Russ Senti

Executive Director, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center, Oregon, IL

Theme verses:

Psalm 118:26-29

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. 

We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God,
   and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches,
   up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
   you are my God, I will extol you.

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
   for his steadfast love endures for ever.

Meditation:

The light that shines on his people is the Lord's doing. Recognize verse 26? They shouted this to Jesus in his triumphal entry (Mark 11:9). Hosanna means "save us" which connects with verse 25. When God shines his light, he is shining his favor upon us. This results in salvation and results in a determined worship before him.

The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar (Psalm 118:27, ESV)

When God shines his favor, worship ensues!!! Think of how a holy God could ever look upon his people with any pleasure at all - but he does! But now we no longer need to offer sacrifices of bulls and goats in worship. Christ has already made that sacrifice for us once and for all. So now we sacrifice a broken and contrite heart, and we bring forth the sacrifice of praise, and most of all a sacrifice of our lives (Romans 12:1).

Prayer:

Awesome God. Thank you for sending your son to die for us so that our sins could be forgiven. Help us to let our light so shine before others so that they may see your good works and glorify you in heaven.

Amen