Grace Lutheran Church

Hard Words; Good Words

There are some words which are hard to hear.

For example, when the doctor comes to give us the truth about our condition, and the prognosis is not good, those are hard words to hear.

Or when we’ve acted irresponsibly, or disobediently, and someone in authority informs us of the consequences of our behaviour, those are hard words to hear.

Or when tragedy strikes unexpectedly, and the news comes to our ears that someone we love has been injured or killed, those are hard words to hear.

Throughout history, God has sent people to speak messages of truth, calling his people to faith and repentance. Sometimes these words also are hard to hear.

When the prophets of old spoke to God’s people Israel, they often used words that were not easy to listen to. Nevertheless, they were spoken in love, in an effort to alert a wayward nation and rescue the people God loved dearly. Jesus himself spoke hard words, and called all people to repentance, before demonstrating his own extravagant provision of forgiveness by going to the cross and his death as a sacrifice for all.

During this season of lenten repentance, I invite you to lean into the hard words of truth that God is speaking to your heart, through his living word. As you read, as you come to worship and listen to the words of Moses, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah, and as you fix your eyes upon Jesus, the Word made flesh who rescues us from our sins, may your faith be strengthened!

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:16

With love,

Pastor Curtis