Lent, Day 10, Friday March 6

The daily readings are: Psalms: 40, 54, 51; Deut 10:12-22; Heb 4:11-16; and John 3:22-36

I couldn't help but re-read both Psalm 40 and John's passage. The Psalmist, David, comes from a place of weakness, vulnerability that we're not necessarily able to identify. He simply says,
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm". Psalm 40:2 (NASB)
There is speculation as to David's concern, but all he says is that from this beginning point of relief from what was "miry clay", a "pit", he is able to see God rescuing him.
John's passage is beautiful in that it reveals the heart of John the Baptist who takes second place in acknowledging Jesus as the one sent from God. I wonder if John the Baptist didn't have times when he wondered whether or not Jesus was the Messiah? I also wonder what it was like for him to recede to the background as Jesus' ministry took over? He says something very profound: John 3:30 (NASB)
"He must increase, but I must decrease."

In embracing weakness, we do more than admit we are not able to control our surroundings and have to trust in God; we also say -- "Jesus, you must take the place of my visible trust, I must decrease in trying to look good, wise, successful, able to manage everything to come across as in control...You must increase as I admit more and more that you and you alone are the great High Priest that I come to in time of need."

A Prayer:
"Lord God, everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day; preserve me by your power that I might not fall into sin; nor be overcome with adversity; and in all that I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purposes, through Jesus Christ, our Lord."

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