Daily Devotion, January 31, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Exodus 2:11-14.

Moses probably had a good reputation among his people in Egypt. But this passage tells of an incident that somewhat changed that reputation. Perhaps Moses became “also known as” … murderer and meddler.

As Moses grows into adulthood, he begins to empathize with the plight of his people. When he witnesses an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, Moses first tries to make sure no one is watching, and then he intervenes and kills the Egyptian. In another incident, Moses attempts to intervene in a dispute between two Hebrews, but one of the Hebrews rebukes Moses and sarcastically comments, “Are you going to kill me as you did the Egyptian?” (Exodus 2:14) As it turns out, someone did see Moses kill that Egyptian, forcing Moses to flee the country.

Sometimes we mistakenly think we can get away with doing wrong if no one sees or catches us. Sooner or later, however, doing wrong will catch up with us as it did with Moses. Even if we are not caught in this life, we will still have to face God and his evaluation of our actions. Let’s make sure we do the right thing all the time, both when people are watching and when we don’t know if they are.

Personal Worship Option:

Remember the good news of the story of Moses. Forty years after this incident, God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God can take our brokenness and the pain of our past and use it for good if we are willing to let him. Ask God to use your past for good this week.

Daily Devotion, January 30, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 16:13-18.

In this passage, Jesus had taken his apostles away to the beautiful Caesarea Philippi to spend some private time with them. His first question, asking who the people are saying he is, was a factual and rather easy question. The apostles reported the false identities people were associating with Jesus. Then Jesus asked them a much more pointed question, “Who do you say I am?” This required them to pause and reflect about his real identity.

Peter was known for acting and speaking quickly, often giving the wrong answer. But this time, his answer that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ), the Son of the living God, was spot on. When Jesus affirmed Peter’s answer and said that this answer was not revealed to him by flesh and blood, Jesus was not being critical of Peter’s human intellect. Because of Peter’s faith, God had revealed the true nature and identity of Jesus to him! It was in response to this show of faith that Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, meaning “rock” and announced that he would build his church on this rock. This affirmation would change Peter’s identity among the apostles and would stay with him as he led the church. 

Personal Worship Option:

Think about how you are most often known by others. Are you primarily known for your profession or occupation, for your role in your family, for your faith, for what? Pray that God will lead you to be known for what you desire to be known and remembered for.

Daily Devotion, January 29, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 9:1-6.

Over the years of my faith journey, the story of Saul’s conversion has been one of the most impactful for me. He was so convinced of his beliefs and understanding about God. In the case of Jesus, he was so sure that he was not the Messiah that he was willing to go on a crusade to destroy his movement. When he discovered he was wrong, he had to do some major renovations in his life. He went on to become a most influential leader for the mission of Christ, converting many people to follow Jesus, starting many churches and writing several letters that became part of our Bible.  

God sometimes invites us to do some renovating of our “faith house,” our own collection of beliefs and ways of thinking about God and what it means to be God’s people. Sometimes the renovations are slight and sometimes they are major. The key is to stay connected to both the Spirit and other Christians as we “learn to live the way of Jesus Christ and invite all to follow him.” 

Personal Worship Option:

Be sure to join us in worship today (hopefully in person, but if not, connect online). If you are joining us in person, bring a carload with you!

Daily Devotion, January 28, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 10:34-45.

This was not the first time Peter had been taught this lesson, this truth about God. Jesus had led his disciples into the territory of the Samaritans and shared his good news of love and forgiveness with them. He had healed Roman soldiers. But apparently, even after he was resurrected and returned to heaven, Peter was still wrestling with what his relationship with the Gentiles should be.  

If you have not heard or read “the rest of the story” leading up to these verses, be sure to read from the beginning of this chapter. The Holy Spirit comes to Peter in a dream to guide him into more fully embracing this lesson. Still, Peter had to be willing to change his mind, to change his thinking and belief about this issue. Just as he had learned new ways of understanding God as he followed Jesus, now he was open to the Holy Spirit continuing to lead and teach him.  

One of the biggest challenges we have as the people of Christ is to discern what beliefs and thinking to hold on to and what new lessons and understanding the Holy Spirit is leading us to embrace. We do that best in two ways. First, we are staying connected to this Spirit personally, spending time in prayer to both speak and listen. Second, we stay connected and in conversation with each other, knowing that the Spirit also guides us through others.

Personal Worship Option:

Consider offering this prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for your constant presence with me. Continue to guide me in knowing what beliefs and thinking in which to stand firm and what new understandings you are inviting me to embrace and live. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion, January 27, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 19:1-10.

Talk about somebody who reconstructed his “faith house,” Zacchaeus did! And it was primarily due to the fact that Jesus sought him out and connected with him. To all the folks in Zacchaeus' community he was looked upon as a lost cause. Not only was Zacchaeus a tax collector but the chief tax collector! Jews opposed these taxes because it supported a pagan government, but they were still forced to pay them.  Tax collectors were Jews by birth but chose to work for Rome and were considered traitors and cheats. It was common knowledge that tax collectors made themselves rich by adding on extra fees. But in spite of all this - Jesus loved Zacchaeus.

After Zacchaeus met Jesus, he realized that his life needed to change. By giving to the poor and making restitution to those he had cheated Zacchaeus demonstrated inner change by outward action. Following Jesus in your head or heart alone is not enough. You must show your faith by changing your behavior.

Personal Worship Option:

Ponder all the ways that Jesus has sought you out. Thank him for his love for you. What changes do you need to make?

Daily Devotion, January 26, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 12:1-2.

Repetition is part of having a spiritual discipline. If we desire to have our bodies and minds renewed, we need repetitive practice. Just like physical exercise needs to happen regularly in order to stay fit and in shape, we must strive to stay fit in our spiritual life. Study and repetition are the critical parts of spiritual discipline which refreshes our minds. We need to keep our spiritual eyes on Jesus who teaches us faith, and helps our heart and mind transform.

Paul wasn’t talking here about positive thinking, thought control, or all of the current psychological self-helps available. He is talking about Christ. He wrote pages about God’s mercy coming to us by way of Jesus. When we put our minds on Christ being crucified and risen for us, our lives can be changed and help us be more Christlike.

 

Read Romans 12:1-2 again. Ponder each word. How does God’s mercy work in you? Have you offered yourself totally to God?

Personal Worship Option:

Holy Spirit, help us to clean out the attic of our minds and replace old musty ideas with fresh new ideas about Jesus. Amen.

Daily Devotion, January 25, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 139:23-24.

Two weeks ago, we wrestled with Psalm 139:19-22 which are verses filled with the Psalm writer’s hate and a cry for God to slay the wicked. Those verses seemed out of place in this beloved psalm which gives us the assurance that God is with us always and in all places. Then we arrive at today’s verses which call for God to, “search us and know us and to lead us in the way everlasting.”

In the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, Dr. J. Clinton McCann, Jr. writes that these verses “help us to understand the depth of the oath of loyalty which this writer has for God. This Psalm begins in verse 1 with the acknowledgement, ‘O God, you have searched me and you know me.’  The Psalmist trusts God so deeply and is so very loyal unto God that the Psalmist writer invites God to know, search and lead him or her even more.” 

I believe it is this Psalm writer’s deep loyalty to God which appears to be the motivation for the difficult verse we read two weeks ago which says, “Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?” Again, Jesus came to teach us and show us we are to pray for and to love our enemies.

McCann adds that in the concluding verses of First Corinthians 13, Then Apostle Paul weaves this understanding of our being ‘fully known’ by God. “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

This Psalm writer’s understanding of God’s love is woven throughout Psalm 139. God created us, fully knows us, understands us, loves us and is with us wherever we are. Therefore, we are safe to let God search our hearts to see if there is any offensive way in us. We can trust God to lead us in the way everlasting. We can trust God to transform our lives.

Personal Worship Option:

Let this be our prayer often, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Amen.

Daily Devotion, January 24, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 8:26-38.

Philip had a successful preaching ministry to great crowds in Samaria, but he obediently left that ministry to travel on a desert road. There he found the Ethiopian man reading Scripture. This man seems intrigued by a passage in Isaiah, but he doesn’t understand what he is reading. Philip, following the Spirit’s leading, takes advantage of this opportunity to explain the Good News. He explained how Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecies.

This Ethiopian official was seeking to learn, asking questions and open to new understanding. Philip guided him to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Who has been Philip in your life? Who has helped you have a better understanding of Scripture or of the Christian faith? When we have difficulty understanding the Bible, we should ask others to help us and not let our insecurities get in the way of better comprehending God’s Word. Have you responded to the prompting of God’s Spirit as Philip did? We can trust God to give us the words to help others on their spiritual journey. Let’s ask God to help us grow in faith so that we will be prepared for opportunities to minister as Philip did.

Personal Worship Option:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the mysterious ways that you work through our lives. Thank you for sending people to encourage us and guide us in our faith. Help me to be faithful when you prompt me to share the Good News of Jesus with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Devotion, January 23, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 26:9-20.

Our teachings on God’s awesome grace is one of the distinctive and defining aspects of Wesleyan theology. We refer to God reaching out to the sinner and calling that person to repent and turn to God as “prevenient” grace. With many of us, we experience God’s prevenient grace as a tug or prompting to give our heart fully to God. For the person reared in a Christian home and already believing, repentance may bring about a subtle shift in her or his life. For others, God’s reaching out with prevenient grace comes more as a body slam than a gentle nudge.

In this passage, Paul himself describes his Damascus Road experience in which God reached out with unearned, unmerited, undeserved love to him (then called Saul), who was doing everything he possibly could to stamp out The Way and its followers. Saul needed this dramatic experience in order for him to be open to receiving God’s love and God’s call upon his life. Saul had seen these followers of Christ remain faithful as he persecuted them. He had watched Stephen pray for the forgiveness of those who stoned him. Even as he rode along that day, Saul may have been wondering what drove these believers. His heart was radically changed as he accepted God’s grace and assumed his new ministry.

Personal Worship Option:

If you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, reflect on what pulled you to do that. That is, how did you feel God’s prevenient grace? For most of us, it was not nearly as dramatic as Paul’s experience. If you have not yet accepted Christ, pray for your openness to the grace that reaches out to each of us.

Daily Devotion, January 22, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 3:1-8.

Nicodemus was part of a group, many of whom did not believe in Jesus. As you read in the Gospel accounts, as well in the book of Acts, there were always differing opinions and interpretations on any subject or situation among the Pharisees and other religious leaders. That was certainly no different when discussions about Jesus came up.

I’m guessing Nicodemus was not the only one who saw something in Jesus that was intriguing. The healings and other miracles he was offering, along with his teaching, were obviously from God (though some still labeled them as coming from the devil). He could have chosen to just continue with the practice of everyone sharing their opinions and interpretations and left it at that. But he decided to go and seek Jesus for himself, to have a personal conversation with him.

Sometimes we let what others think and say overly influence us. Sure, we all have people we trust and seek their thinking and interpretation on various matters. The wise person will always be willing to listen to other ways of thinking. More importantly, they will seek out their own personal relationship with the Holy Spirit who is God and ask this Spirit to guide them in the midst of differing ways of thinking. Don’t let others do that for you. Do it for yourself.

Personal Worship Option:

Clara Scott wrote one of my favorite prayer hymns. Though some of the words are old English, consider the message they carry and let this be your prayer:

Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou has for me;

place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.

Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear;

and while the wave-notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.

Open my eyes (and ears), illumine me, Spirit divine!

Daily Devotion, January 21, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 2:15-20.

Yes, I know; this is a story from last month. “Why are we looking at this a month later?” you may be asking. I’m glad you asked! This portion of the story fits in with our focus for this week. In the sermon tomorrow, we will be focused on how we sometimes let the opinions and experiences of others overly influence our thinking and beliefs about God. 

No matter what other people were saying about God, these shepherds had a personal experience of good news from God to share. I’m guessing they were still doing so a month later. I’m guessing they told about that experience for the rest of their life.

Even when they first experienced the angels and their message, they could have decided to keep it to themselves, not bothering to go and try to find this baby, figuring that nobody would believe them anyway. There is no account of all the people in Bethlehem believing the news of who this baby was. Rather, we only have the account from Matthew’s Gospel of the children there being slaughtered by Herod’s soldiers in his attempt to get rid of this future threat to his throne. That event probably caused everyone there to question whether there could be any good news from God. But these shepherds still had a good news experience and message from heaven to share. That is all each of us are invited to do; share our own experience. From your experience, let others know the message God has given you.

Personal Worship Option:

Consider offering this prayer in your own words: Lord, I give thanks for the many experiences you have given me, revealing your presence in my life. Help me share those with others in a way that offers your good news. Amen.  

Daily Devotion, January 20, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10.

The young boy Samuel follows instructions that guide him to having his first personal encounter with God. Samuel’s first response was to run to Eli, because he had not heard God’s voice before. Eli, being sleepy, dismissed Samuel and told him to return to his bed. However, on the third call, Eli realized it must be God and guided Samuel in how to respond.  

God was persistent in getting Samuel’s attention and it is true for us as well. Listening and responding is paramount to a relationship with God. God does not always use the sound of a human voice, but he always speaks clearly through his Word. To receive his messages, we must be ready to listen and to act on what he tells us. Are you ready to say, “Here I am” when God calls you to action?

Personal Worship Option:

Thank God for his Voice in your life. Reflect on what God is speaking into your life. What is He asking of you?

Daily Devotion, January 19, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 9:13-17, 24-25.

I love this story. This man who has been blind from birth met Jesus. Jesus heals him so that he can physically see. The man really doesn’t care how or when, but just that now he can see. He doesn’t want to be quizzed by the Pharisees who are trying to make Jesus out as a sinner because it was on the Sabbath. This story shows us that there is a difference between seeing physically and seeing the truth clearly with your mind. The man blind from birth could only see after Jesus restored his sight. But the Pharisees, who could see physically all their lives, still couldn’t see the truth of Jesus and his Godly power. They still couldn’t understand who Jesus was or what he was doing.

The blind man didn’t understand everything about Jesus and answered, “I don’t Know”. Isn’t that the way we are today? People who follow Jesus do not always comprehend the path they are on. There are some things about Jesus that we know for certain, and there are other things about Jesus that remain a complete mystery. We know that Jesus loves us, he forgives our sins, and he gives us hope for our lives. These are things that we can see clearly.

Personal Worship Option:

God, there are so many things we do not understand. Help us to trust what you can do in our lives through Jesus. Give us the confidence to live in hope and share our faith with others. Amen.

Daily Devotion, January 18, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 4:39-42. (The Message)

This week we are focusing on seeking our own experience and relationship with God through Christ, rather than relying on the thinking and beliefs of others.

From the Samaritan woman’s testimony of encountering Jesus at the Well of Sychar, many others seek Jesus and then they believe because of their own personal encounters with him.

John’s purpose in writing “The Gospel According to John” is to give witness of who Jesus is and who he came to be. John 1:12-13 says, “Yet, to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God---children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

These verses become a theme throughout this gospel and particularly in this story of Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well. Jesus surprises his disciples in two ways. First, a Jewish man did not initiate conversation with an unknown woman. And secondly, Jews did not speak or interact with Samaritans. In their conversation together, Jesus includes her and the people of Samaria in God’s offer to become the children of God. In John 4:21-25, Jesus tells her, “a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth…” In verse 26, Jesus declares, “I who speak to you am he.” (the Messiah)

From the woman’s encounter with Jesus, she believes. She returns to her town and gives witness of her encounter with the Messiah! Today’s verses tell us that many Samaritans believed through her witness. Then after their own encounters with Jesus, they knew that he really is the Savior of the world!

Where do we find ourselves in this story? Do we find ourselves surprised as the disciples were that Jesus went beyond the traditions of his day and spoke to someone they considered to be “beyond God’s grace”? Do we find ourselves trying to be as faithful a witness as the woman at the well? Do we find ourselves seeking our own encounter with Jesus in such a way that we know he is the Savior of the world?

Personal Worship Option:

The townspeople said to Jesus, “Stay with us.” Let Jesus “stay” with you in all the places that you are today. Let Jesus’ grace and transforming power offer unto you a witness you can share. Amen.

Daily Devotion, January 17, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 1:43-50.

Philip, one of the new disciples, shows up and tells Nathanael that they have found the Messiah and identifies him as Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael responds: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

Nathanael had certain expectations for the Promised One, the great hope of Israel – expectations about who he would be and where he might come from … and Nazareth fell short of those expectations.

During this time many Israelites looked down on people from Galilee, and Galileans looked down on those who were from Nazareth. And that is Jesus’ home! He was known as “Jesus of Nazareth.” So, when Nathanael hears Philip claim the great hope of the world is from Nazareth, he blurted out, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

Nathanael made an assumption about people from Nazareth. It makes me wonder what our “Nazareths” are. We all have Nazareths in our lives. Nazareths are the objects of our own assumptions, judgments, prejudices, and misunderstandings. We don’t see anything good coming from our Nazareths. It’s about how we see and relate to others.

Fortunately, his encounter with Jesus changed his understanding. Jesus assured Nathaniel that he knew him, and Nathaniel could trust him. Jesus spoke truth and showed compassion to Nathaniel who became a follower of the Messiah.

If Nathaniel had stuck to his preconceived beliefs, he would have missed a relationship with the Messiah. Let’s be careful not to let our stereotypes prevent us from our own relationship with Jesus or from seeing others the way Jesus sees them.

Personal Worship Option:

Thank God today that he knows you and loves you. Ask him to show you how to love others the way he does.

Daily Devotion, January 16, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read John 20:24-28.

I think Thomas gets a bum rap when we call him “Doubting Thomas!” After all, when Jesus was summoned back into Judea to raise Lazarus, Thomas said to the other apostles, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). There was no doubt or hesitation in that bold statement! But to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead after having seen him die on a cruel cross without actually witnessing the risen Christ himself – pretty unbelievable. I like to call him “Analytical Thomas” instead.

Children tend to accept what their parents, grandparents, and teachers tell them about faith matters, and this is called conforming faith. But as they get older, they question and test these teachings and sometimes even rebel against them. It can be difficult to see them pushing back, but it is a healthy stage of faith development called probing faith. Finally, comes growing faith as the person matures. Thomas’ insistence on seeing the scars was a kind of probing faith…wanting to believe but having to experience the risen Christ himself instead of simply relying on the experiences of others.

Personal Worship Option:

Almighty God, help me when I need to experience you more personally and to see you in action in the world. I know I cannot be yours because of someone else’s faith. And help me to be patient and helpful with those who probe and ask questions. They probably want to believe more deeply but need to experience you for themselves. Amen.

Daily Devotion, January 15, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Job 13:1-5, 13-15.

Job is probably the one book of the Bible with which I struggle the most. The portrayal of God in the opening scene goes against the Old Testament emphasis on the God of justice. And the closing scene goes against what the rest of the book seems to be stating: that suffering and struggles in this life do not always have a good ending.

However, the book also teaches some very beneficial lessons. It lets us know that the really hard questions and circumstances of life do not have simple answers, if there are any answers at all. Job had been taught that if you lived a good life and were faithful to God, you would only have blessings come your way. Suddenly, that was not his experience. So, he had to rebuild his “faith house.” He sought a new relationship with God, with new understandings of what that relationship involved. And in the end, he had a personal encounter with God that changed him and what he believed.

Many people of our day and time are also finding the need to reconstruct what they believe. God affirms these spiritual construction projects. Whether you are “reconfiguring, renovating or reconstructing” your faith house of beliefs, seek God in the process. And if you know someone who is going through this at whatever level, be willing to walk with them.

Personal Worship Option:

Who do you know who is struggling with questions about the Bible or beliefs about God or some other aspect of faith? Pray for God to guide you in how to best be a resource for them in the midst of their struggle. (Encourage them to join us for worship during our present sermon series at Christ Church or at least to listen in online.)

Daily Devotion, January 14, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Deuteronomy 32:48-52.

This week we have been looking at some of the Bible stories and passages that are troubling. We are doing that as a reminder to all of us that such passages exist for us. Hopefully, this will also give us a point of connection and dialogue with people outside of the Church who struggle with parts of the Bible and other aspects of what being a Christian is all about.  

This passage is certainly one I have struggled with over the years. First, a quick background to this story. In Numbers 20:1-12 is the story of when Moses struck the rock for water, rather than simply speaking to the rock as he had been instructed by God. The result is he does not get to enter the Promised Land with the rest of the people.  

I have read many explanations for why God reacted to Moses’ action in this way. Some are more plausible than others, but none fully explain this level of punishment. There is no simple answer for me on this one.  

This is certainly not the only situation in the Bible or in my own life experience that I have no explanation for why things have happened as they have. And I have often said to God, “I do not understand what is going on here, but I still believe in you, and I believe that somewhere in the future, you are going to bring about justice for everyone. In the meantime, help me know how I can best serve your mission.”

Personal Worship Option:

What story in the Bible or passage of Scripture is the most challenging for you to understand why God acted in a particular way? What causes you to continue to place your trust in God even though there are some things you don’t understand? How might you use that as part of how you connect with people you are trying to convince to become followers of Jesus Christ?

Daily Devotion, January 13, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 2 Samuel 12:1-15.

David is confronted by God through Nathan for his sins yet is allowed to remain the king. There are many troubling consequences of sin in this passage. A child dies, a family is ripped apart through violence (13: 26-30,18:14, 15, 1 Kings 2:23-25) relationships are splintered. Not to mention the initial adultery and murder. Nathan’s confrontation with David was almost a year later, so David had become blind to his actions and dishonor of God’s commands. However, when confronted, David immediately confessed and repented of his sin. God forgave and restored the relationship with David, but he did not eliminate the consequences of the sin. Sometimes an apology isn’t enough, for it may set into motion events with irreversible consequences.

 

David had lost his vision of who God is and his relationship with God. God still had work for David to do in the Kingdom so his position as king was not removed. But it was paramount that David’s relationship with God be restored.

Sometimes we can find ourselves blinded to what is right. We justify our actions or simply refuse to listen to our conscience. We are not immune to sin, but we can ignore the warning signs.

Personal Worship Option:

Are you suffering from a “blind spot” in your life? Spend some time talking with God. Rejoice in a right relationship with God and move forward with God’s plan for your life.

Daily Devotion, January 12, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 19:15-26.

This troubling scripture for today tells of Lot and his wife and daughters escaping Sodom before it was totally destroyed by God. The city of Gommorah was also destroyed and all of the plains around them. Lot did not want to heed the warning as he wanted to stay even though the instructions of what was going to happen were clear. Do we understand the danger sometimes and ignore it? Do we have a sense of urgency, say when a tornado or hurricane warning is issued, and we think it will not affect us? I feel like this is what Lot was thinking. We need to listen to God.

This story of what happened to Lot’s life had an early effect on me and has stuck with me all of my life. I grew up in a small rural Methodist Church. My first recollection of Sunday School was when I was about five. The first lesson that I heard was the story of Lot and how his wife was turned into a pillar of salt because she looked back at the bad city she was leaving. We had a coloring sheet of her as a pillar of salt.  (It was run on a smelly blue ditto machine). I can still visualize that paper as if it were yesterday. I lived in fear that if I misbehaved God might zap me and I would be salt! Maybe this was not the best story for a little one. However, I did then learn about the endless love that God has for us, and he is a forgiving God.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, help us make the most of our time and relationships in sharing about your love and mercy through Jesus Christ. Let our fears be calmed by our faith. Amen.

Daily Devotion, January 11, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 139:19-22.

From my college years, Psalm 139 has been a beloved psalm. Verses 1-18 give us the assurance that God is with us always and in all places. And the last two verses of the chapter ask God to “search us and know us and to lead us in the way everlasting.”

But our verses today are the verses within this Psalm with which I have always struggled. Verses 19-22 carry such strong, violent and hate-filled language! Throughout the years, I have appreciated the “honesty” of the psalm writers. But these verses seem so “out of place” within this psalm.

In the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, Dr. J. Clinton McCann, Jr. writes, “While vs. 19-20 inevitably sound like a request for personal revenge, their import is much broader and deeper; they request that God set things right in the world; in other words, ‘thy will be done.’ As in other psalms that contain requests for vengeance, the matter is apparently entrusted to and left with God rather than taken into human hands.”

Jesus says in Matthew 5:43-44, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” And Jesus says in Luke 6:35-36, “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

The Psalmist has nothing but hatred for his enemies. Jesus taught, and lived, a different way.

In light of Jesus’ words, we are called to work through our initial reaction to seek vengeance and move toward praying for our enemies and even toward loving them. The Holy Spirit works with us. God is merciful unto all and calls us to be merciful, too. We can trust God to set things right in the world. This is a difficult leap for us, but Jesus calls us to follow in his way to seek good even for our enemies.

Personal Worship Option:

Yes, Lord, you are with us always and in all places. You understand us. You understand when we struggle with particular scripture passages. Help us to follow in Christ’s ways. Amen.