3rd Sunday of Lent 2010

“Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.” – The Book of Common Prayer

What a sobering thought: We are hopeless and helpless, both physically and spiritually. So often, we think that we can do it ourselves. We rely on God for the “big” stuff, but figure we are strong enough to handle the “little” stuff.

However, this should come as no surprise. Even when humans have everything going for them, they seem to mess it up. Consider Adam and Eve. They had everything anyone could ever want, not only physically but also spiritually. They had God coming down out of heaven every day to walk and talk with them, yet when they listened to the serpent, instead of God, they failed.

The Apostle Paul is another prime example. Before he became a Christian, Paul was Saul, “The Hebrew of Hebrews.” However, even this great writer of the majority of the New Testament said in Romans 7:15: “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.”

We need to remember the exhortation given to us by Jude: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” When all else fails the love of God sustains us.

We are not alone. As those who profess faith in Christ, we have the creator of the universe on our side. Christ is willing to help, guide and protect us from all “adversities which may happen to the body, and from all thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul.”

As we continue our Lenten journey, remember that we cannot do anything on our own. We need the power of Christ to guide and protect us through every circumstance in life.