Thursday, March 24

Jeremiah 4:9-10, 19-28

Psalms 70, 71, 74

Romans 2:12-24

John 5:19-29

Psalm 71

Fasting & Feasting

When I was a little girl, my daddy used to say, "KariAnn, you don't have to say everything you think, but you have to think about everything you say!"

It's easy to complain, murmur and groan when things aren't going according to my plans. But praise? That takes thought - and even though daddy's words still echo in my head....

Lent is traditionally a time when we think about or choose to fast... not feast. We sometimes look forward to feast days (Sundays) as a time to sneak in a bit of chocolate or maybe relax the fast a bit. But, just as fasting is a discipline, so is feasting. Feasting isn't an invitation to mindless consumption, but an opportunity for intentionality, to savor the goodness at the table, to wear a garment of praise and assume a posture of gratitude.

Today the psalmist basically sends in his RSVP for a feast of praise to our God.

Psalm 71 is a table laden with praise:

“From birth… I will praise you” (vs. 6)

“My mouth is filled with your praise” (vs. 8)

“…I will praise you more and more” (vs. 14)

“Even when I’m old and gray… I will declare your power to the next generation…” (vs. 18)

“I will praise you with the harp” (vs. 22)

“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you” (vs. 23)

“My tongue will tell of your righteous acts…” (vs. 24)

We are invited to the feast! We can choose to discipline ourselves to praise the Lord – an intention to tell of his mercies even when we don’t feel like it. To put incredible words of praise on our lips!

We don’t have to say everything we think, but we do have to think about everything we say….

Think praise!

I'm sending in my RSVP card today... text me, and I'll save you a seat at the table!

KariAnn Lessner