General and specific, but not where normally expected, and hope in all things. I find this an interesting pair of short references for Lent.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
— 1 Corinthians 10:13

Verse 13 is cited in an editorial insert in Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article 11: Election (FC, SD 11.48). God's intention for salvation "gives us wonderful comfort in crosses and trials, that in his counsel before time began God determined and decreed that he would stand by us in every trouble, grant us patience, give us comfort, create hope, and provide a way out of all things so that we may be saved [cf. 1 Cor. 10:13]."

Luke 13:1-9

No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.
— Luke 13:5

Verse 5 is cited in Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article 5: Law and Gospel (FC, SD 5.7) noting the two senses of "repentance" that go with the two senses of "gospel." This verse is quoted to show the general sense of "repentance," the entire conversion of the person. The specific sense of "repentance" juxtaposes repentance with forgiveness of sins to show the specific sense, which is sorrow for and abstinence from sin.

TheoThru

Comfort and repentance. For most of us, it seems that comfort is the primary response to tragedy, but it seems there may be more to which we should attend.

Where and in whom do we find comfort?
What does conversion look like without tragedy?
How much manure must we go through before we find comfort in the one who will make us bear the fruit of repentance?