From Pastor Joe...

Lent History
The history of Lent did not become a traditional practice until the 4th century. Of course, neither did many of our spiritual practices occur to then. Because the church was persecuted for the first 300 years, even holding a gathering was difficult.


One church father, Athanasius, wrote a letter to his church (Festal Letters, 373A.D.) saying that they would make a forty day fast prior to Easter. Yes, that is fasting by food for forty days.


But why forty days? The number forty is significant in the Bible. Generally this number reflects a time of preparation. We see Moses on the mountain for forty days before he receives the ten commandments (Exodus 34:28). Israel was wondering for forty years before the promise land, (Exodus 16:35) and of course Jesus was in the desert for forty days praying and fasting before his public ministry (Matthew 4:2). There are a ton of examples and one can see why the church today practices a forty day preparation before Easter.


Psalms
As you have read through a dozen or so Psalms by now, you have noticed that some are sorrowful and others are joyful. Generally, each Psalm has a classification and knowing this helps your understanding.


As you read through the Psalms, try to find its classification. A good commentary will also note this.


• A Lament: You have a "beef" with God. Your faith and life's experiences do not sync. Laments start off by crying to God and then makes a petition. Finally, the Psalmist discovers God. At the end, he is reassured even though his circumstances may not change. This is the most numerous of Psalms. (Did it ever occur to you why this psalm is the most numerous?) Psalm 13 is a classic example.


• Suffering: These are psalms which protest your experience and they do not end happy. Psalm 44, and 88 are examples.


• Psalm of confidence. These psalms express one's confidence that God is on your side. Therefore, provision and protection usually follow. Psalm 23 and 27 are examples.


• Hymn. This express the ideal. The psalmist praises God. Psalms essentially mean praise and the psalmist knows that this is the best place in life to be. In fact, every Psalm aspires to reach this place. That is why there are laments because one is protesting to experience a Hymn. This is the place of blessing and sharing the goodness of God. Psalm 113 is an example.


• Messianic Psalm. This psalm is prophetic and anticipates the Messiah. We read these now knowing that Jesus is the promised one. Yet, we also hope in the return of Jesus and therefore these Psalms are very relevant. Are you sick and tired of the evil in this world? Psalm 2 is an example.


• Wisdom Psalm. This psalm focuses on the practice of the Torah. Usually, it is Psalm song to give perspective even when the bad guys are winning. Psalm 1 and 37 are examples.


Some Psalms are easy to identity, while others break form. As you read, try to get the big picture. Check a commentary too for additional insight.


By the way, which Psalm classification best fits you today?


Pastoral/Personal Experience
Last night at the ministry team gathering, I asked them if this was their first Lenten experience. The majority said yes. We talked about what they are learning about God and themselves. I loved one gentlemen's thoughts. He gave up TV and he said that has been hard. He shared that now that there is silence, he just has his thoughts –and that scared him! He realized that TV can create a noise to drown out his fears. How insightful was this. I saw others nod their heads as they related to him.


This is why the reading of the Psalms is so important. The goal is to hear God's thoughts. The voice of the Psalms becomes our voice. These thoughts from the Psalms are God inspired thoughts, given to us by God –authenticated by him and then expressed by the Psalmist.


One thought that I had from last night. Our community needs more grace. And I believe these are thoughts God wants to communicate to us during this Lenten Pilgrimage.