⁶ When I felt secure, I said,
    “I will never be shaken.”
⁷ Lord, when you favored me,
    you made my royal mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
    I was dismayed. (Ps. 30:6-7)

When we think we’ve made it on our own, there are times the Lord may step back a bit and let us “revel” in our “self-made” achievements.

There are times his mercy is held back for us to know the darkness where we walk. It’s been decades, but I remember that darkness in my own life. I also remember the intense mercy poured out when I cried out to him for forgiveness.

Lent is a time to remember the pit and remember the mercy.

It is a time to reflect on the darkness that we had without him… and the glory of dawn when he reached out toward us.

Lord, your mercy is great. I am so grateful your steadfast love never fails. Over the years I am reminded of the utter darkness I once faced and your great mercy that came and pulled me home. May I walk in the beauty of your Kingdom’s dawn day after day. Amen.