2016 Belmont University Lenten GuideSample

I do not know why, but I think sometimes it is easy to forget God’s faithfulness. I forget the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord more than I like to admit, but luckily I am in good company. Throughout scripture we see God’s people forget who He is and what He has done for them, which is comforting to know we are not alone in our doubting and our wandering. But what is even more comforting is God’s constant affirmation of His faithfulness; we doubt, but He is steadfast and we wander, but He pursues. It is beautiful to think about this truth in light of this season of Lent because what Jesus did for us on the cross is what makes it all possible. Jesus died and rose again and therefore invites us, the wandering, the doubtful, into his faithful love. It is because of Jesus that we are redeemed children of God.

“Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

The perfect God of the universe claims us as his own, over and over again, despite our wandering, doubting and forgetfulness. That fact is truly too miraculous for me to wrap my head around! When I run from God or forget who He is, some part of me expects that if I return to Him I will only find wrath, guilt and shame, but all of those things ended at the cross. Instead, when we return from our wandering, we are met with grace and mercy overflowing from our faithful God!

What’s more is the faithfulness of Jesus not only allows us to return to Him again and again, but also for God to go with us into hard seasons of life. His faithfulness not only invites us in, but also carries us through. We can cling to the past faithfulness of God to provide us with hope of His future provision. We can run to his faithfulness and also remember it, such as in Psalm 126:3, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Things God has done for us in the past, can fill us with joy in the present.

Search your heart today and see if you are wandering or doubting. Wherever you are, faithfulness is waiting for you, God calls you his very own and is with you.

Remember God’s faithfulness.

HUNTER WADE
Sophomore
Faith and Social Justice