Devotions for Spiritual Strength

Reading: Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus regularly withdrew to pray, creating space for divine encounter. On the Mount of Transfiguration, prayer opened the door for God's voice to break through. In our busy lives, prayer often becomes a one-way conversation—we speak, list our needs, then move on. But authentic prayer requires silence, creating room for God to speak to us. Today, examine your prayer life. Is it a monologue or a dialogue? This Lenten season, commit to building moments of silence into your prayers. After presenting your concerns to God, sit quietly. Listen. Wait. God's transforming voice often comes in the stillness, not in our constant speaking. What might God be waiting to tell you if you would only pause long enough to hear?

Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; 2 Kings 2:1-12

Moses received God's law on a mountain. Elijah upheld God's truth when Israel turned away. Both pointed toward something greater - someone greater. Their presence at the Transfiguration reminds us that all of Scripture points to Jesus. The law showed us God's standards; the prophets called us back to faithfulness. But Jesus fulfills both, embodying God's Word in flesh. As you journey through Lent, don't just read Scripture as ancient history or moral instruction. Read it as revelation pointing to Christ. Every commandment, every prophecy, every story whispers His name. The Old Testament saints bore witness to God's truth, but Jesus IS the truth. Today, as you read Scripture, ask: How does this point me to Jesus?

Reading: John 1:1-18

"This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him." God's command from the cloud carries profound urgency. In a world of endless voices—social media, news cycles, conflicting opinions—God directs us to one voice above all: Jesus. John's Gospel declares that Jesus is the Word made flesh, God's ultimate communication to humanity. During Lent, we walk with Jesus toward the cross, hearing the words of a dying man. These aren't casual teachings; they're life-giving instructions from One who loved us enough to die for us. When someone is dying, we lean in closer, knowing their words carry special weight. How much more should we treasure Jesus' words? This week, read one Gospel passage daily. Don't rush. Listen carefully. What is Jesus saying to you today?

Reading: Romans 6:1-11

Jesus told the disciples to keep silent about the Transfiguration until after His resurrection. Why? Because without the resurrection, the story sounds like a fever dream. But the resurrection changes everything—it proves God can do the impossible. Death, our greatest enemy, has been defeated. If God can resurrect Jesus, what impossibilities in your life might God transform? That broken relationship? That persistent sin? That hopeless situation? The resurrection isn't just about Jesus; it's about God's power available to all who believe. During Lent, we walk through darkness knowing light is coming. We face death knowing resurrection awaits. What "impossible" situation are you facing? Bring it to the God who specializes in resurrection. The same power that raised Jesus dwells in you.

Reading: Psalm 30:1-12

Many churches veil their "Hallelujahs" during Lent, saving them for Easter's triumphant celebration. This practice mirrors the disciples' experience—holding the glory of the Transfiguration inside until resurrection made it comprehensible. There's wisdom in waiting, in sitting with sorrow before celebrating joy. Lent invites us to journey through Jesus' suffering, to contemplate the cost of our salvation. We restrain our hallelujahs not because we've forgotten joy, but because we're deepening our appreciation for it. When Easter morning arrives, our praise will explode with greater authenticity because we've walked the hard road to get there. Today, embrace this season of preparation. Sit with the weight of sin, the reality of sacrifice, the darkness before dawn. Your hallelujah is coming, and it will be all the sweeter for the waiting.