Don’t Walk Away

For this year’s Daily Lenten Journey we are focusing on the Power of God’s Promise. One way God speaks to us is through His Prophets. Throughout the Old Testament the Prophets have reminded us, at least those willing to listen, of God’s Promise. Too often, many did not and do not listen.

“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” How the faithful city has become a harlot, she that was full of justice!  Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.  Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water.  Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves.  Every one loves a bribe and runs after gifts.  They do not defend the fatherless, and the widow’s cause does not come to them. Therefore the Lord says, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel:  “Ah, I will vent my wrath on my enemies, and avenge myself on my foes.  I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.  And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning.  Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness.  But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.  For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted; and you shall blush for the gardens which you have chosen.  For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water.  And the strong shall become tow, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them. The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.  It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say:  “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”  For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 1.19-2.3

Today’s prophecy is quite clear. Live obedient to God, and “eat the good of the land.” For those who chose to walk away from God’s promise and way of life, there is only pain and suffering. The Old Testament is filled with examples of what happens when we walk away from God.

Great Lent is about walking toward God rather than away. Here’s the thing. Walking toward God is also a struggle since the devil never stops trying to distract us. The difference isn’t whether we struggle here, but whether we struggle for eternity.

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacence of fools destroys them; but he who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of evil.”

Proverbs 1.32-33

When we walk toward the Lord, we have no fear of the devil or his antics. The saints provide countless examples of living without fear of evil. They were beaten and exiled, but God provided for them.

The Power of God’s Promise is that we will never be left alone to struggle without hope. When we walk toward the Lord, we walk with the promise of His grace and glory. Our Great Lenten Journey, if we are willing to accept it, is our chance to ‘test’ God’s promise.

Go ahead and test Him. Spend the week increasing your prayer and Church attendance. Increase your fasting and charity. Test God to see if you He will provide what you need to get through the week. It’s ok. He’s got your back when you don’t walk away.