Worship for the Weekday
Unworthy Yet Not Abandoned
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Luke 17:10
So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty."
In other words, “don’t get too big for your britches,” as my Mom would have said – actually, as I have said to my own children. Don’t believe your own press is another way of stating that. When we do good works, when we live in line with our Christian faith, we do so because of who Christ was – and still is. We don’t do it for the glory. At least we shouldn’t. We are, however, human with a bent toward slipping into that old, familiar, “It’s all about me” mentality.
The abject and honest humility this type of statement, sincerely spoken, requires is really beyond human ability and capability. That’s why Christ came to earth – to be humble for us, to step in for us where we are incapable and/or unwilling to go. He became humble – more he personified humility – on our behalf. God loves us so much, and knows us so well, that He didn’t want us to miss the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in heaven. He knew, too, that we needed someone in the person of Christ – not a pretender to the throne – who could be the perfection we could not achieve.
Wow, talk about being unworthy! Talk about something to be grateful for. Talk about a reason to try to be the very best people we can be, to do the very best in every situation, to keep at it, and never give up. . . What more could we ask for? I can’t think of anything. Well . . . in my humanity I can! Ouch. But that’s the whole point. Jesus transcends our humanity. He became one of us, but not like us. He took on our humanity and allowed himself to have it beaten and battered out of him. He allowed himself to be stripped and hung upon a cross; wooden spikes driven into his wrists; and through his ankles. And even as he hung there, clinging to life – he forgave the criminal on the cross beside him.
OK. What more can I say to make my point. We are, indeed, unworthy. The good news is that God loves us anyway. And Jesus is the proof.
My prayer today is that you strive to be Christ for God’s fallen, hurting, human-laden world. And that you share the Good News of the Risen Christ with everyone you meet.
Mary
God’s Tomorrow vs. Man’s Tomorrow
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Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth
I struggled with “boast” in this verse. All definitions I could find indicated exactly what I thought – to brag or be proud of. As I reflected more upon the meaning of this admonition, it occurred to me that we (man) tend to get pretty complacent in our lives when things are going well. This prophet is admonishing us not to get too satisfied with our lives, and especially with ourselves. I guess it could be restated, “don’t rest on your laurels.”
Really, this verse cautions us not to let down our guard. The world is full of so many influences contrary to our faith. And it may just be me, but it seems that just at the moment I think to myself, “I’ve got this under control,” that’s when something happens that I didn’t expect. So we must be ever vigilant. We must also be ever intentional and deliberate about building up our knowledge of the divinely inspired word of God – the Bible – and exploring and praying about how it applies to us and our daily lives.
It sounds so easy–no–simple. And it is simple. If we live in isolation and are in community only with others who share our faith and values. It’s simple as long as no one crosses over the line we’ve drawn in the sand as acceptable behavior. It’s simple as long as we’re not tested to take a stand ourselves, possibly risking loss of a relationship, a job, or something else of value. Actually, it’s still simple even in those circumstances–it’s just not easy.
There’s another reason we’re cautioned not to boast about tomorrow – the future is not in our hands! It’s in the Lord’s. And we don’t know what plans He has for us, with us, or through us. So a healthy dose of humility, in addition to watchfulness and diligence is probably in order.
So, let’s not boast about tomorrow – or worry about it either! Let’s live today for all its worth! Let’s give God everything we are and everything we have in each moment we’re alive. If we do that, I think tomorrow with take care of itself. Please remind me of this next time you hear me expressing worry and/or impatience about the future. Admittedly, you will have ample opportunity!
My prayer today is that we take the time to relish each moment - in the present. And that we look with excitement and peace of mind toward the future God has planned for us in heaven – more incredible and amazing than we can even comprehend.
Mary
Living Stones
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1 Peter 2:4,5
As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Every once in a great while I find myself resting in God. It happens seldom – and I am sorry for that, because it’s a great state to be in – calm, sure, almost laid back – pretty awesome for a high-energy, can’t be still for a moment, must be multi-tasking even in her sleep type of person! That’s how I’m feeling this morning. I returned from a long walk—well not too long – but a long talk with my walking buddy and I have the distinct feeling today that all is right in the world – in Christ Jesus.
Of course the Middle East situation is ever on the radar of my consciousness. And the local news events and the national situations causing problems and tragedies and all the rest of everyday life is ever there in the recesses of my mind. And I don’t for one minute downplay any of it. I’m just feeling tremendously grateful that while I sit in my office in Richmond, Virginia this morning, having had a very hopeful and hope-filled conversation with my dearest friend, that I have a peace that passes understanding.
You may be thinking that my commentary has little to do with the scripture I selected! On the contrary! The conversations we had this morning involved the powerful working of the Holy Spirit – in individual lives, in the lives of small groups, and in our church and beyond – in the life of mankind. When one can glimpse the moving of the Spirit, it is a blessing – and for me results in this peace of mind.
When we allow the Spirit to work in and through us, we are unleashing the true power of God – the creative energy that allowed the earth and the universe to shaped and take form – the creative energy that gave birth to man. I have worked hard to leave myself open to the leadings of the Spirit for my personal life. And some days I do much better than others. And I have really worked hard as my son is beginning to see a glimpse of his own divine purpose to listen to him and help him discern the Spirit’s leadings. It is a blessing to see the spiritual awakening in him – an awareness of himself as a divinely inspired and created being – in the image and likeness of God.
So all the planets must be aligned or something – because today – in this moment – I feel unburdened by the need to know what is in store for tomorrow – and my need to be in charge of it! I feel freed to relish what unfolds before me and around me. And I lift a word of praise and thanksgiving to the God who sent us His Son and for the Spirit that dwells with us and within us still, and who uses us as living stones to build His kingdom here on earth.
My prayer today is that you will rest in God today. And that you allow the Spirit to flow through you and around you as you go through the activities of your life.
Mary
The Heart of Christ
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2 Peter 1:2-11
2. May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4. by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. 5. For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6. and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7. and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8. For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9. For whoever lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10. Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; 11. so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This is one of those passages we should probably keep handy for those days we begin to feel as if we are better than others – wiser, smarter, more faith-filled, just plain better Christians and human beings. Speaking for myself, I work very hard to be a “good Christian.” I want to be a good person and do what is right and true and good according to Christ and His teachings. The problem is, I am not Christ and never will be. One of the messages I came away from the Women of Faith Conference last weekend was: we are to celebrate ourselves and each other! We are each and every one made in the image and likeness of God. I commented yesterday that I seldom think to myself, “Wow, God had a really good idea when He made _____.”
I think God wants us to do more than be kind and loving. He expects more than friendliness and generosity. We are to offer more than what is comfortable and easy, no matter how much that may be from a worldly perspective. God wants us to give back what we received from Jesus – that’s why He sent Him to earth. Oh . . . that’s a different story. On my very best day as a human being, in a spirit-filled, spirit-inspired, overflowing with gratitude and overcome with awe at my wonderful Lord and Savior – I might be able to approach the heart of Christ. How many of those days do you have? I’m thinking I don’t even need one hand to count mine.
The divine power of God through Jesus Christ has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. We don’t need any other reference point. We don’t any other research sources. We don’t need anyone or anything else to live as we were designed to live before the world entered into us. We only need Jesus. Just Jesus. And if you doubt that, try to think of a situation Jesus didn’t use to explain that truth to us. Try to think of a situation in your life that He didn’t cover while He was here with us on earth. His message: Love covers a multitude of sins. God loves us so much He has granted us eternal life with Him in heaven in spite of our own sin.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t need to hear any more! I just need to figure out how to live my life in line with the message! I just need to be sure I go to The Word and not to the World when I need to figure out how I feel about a certain topic. That may make some people feel I’m a radical or a “Jesus freak.” That’s okay by me. I am a Jesus Freak! How can one not be madly, radically, completely in love with Him and His message? I’ve quoted one of my friends before when he says, “I just think Jesus is irresistible.” And that explains his zeal when shares his faith with others. That explains his energy and his love as he goes through his day. And that explains that look that comes across his eyes when he is caught up in the Spirit as he speaks about his Savior. In that young man’s presence, one almost expects the doors to blow open from a mighty wind of the Holy Spirit entering the room.
That’s the level of faith to which I aspire. That’s the life I want to model. That’s the least we can do to honor our God and His Precious Son.
My prayer today is that you will make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. And that you remember the source of all these things.
Mary
The Everlasting Rock
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Isaiah 26:3-4
3. Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee. 4. Trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
The following sentence is a paraphrase from my walking buddy this morning: I have low expectations of people but high expectations of God. Isn’t that profound? And it’s not saying that all people are terrible, bad, worthless, or anything else derogatory. It simply states that people are people and people let us down – because, like us, they’re, well . . . people! God, on the other hand . . . well, where to begin.
Speaking only for myself, I have never been anyplace or through anything in life – literally, spiritually, mentally, in any way – where God had not already been, making a way, laying the groundwork, setting the path. Of course, I didn’t realize that at the time – and I had no way of knowing in some of those moments – especially the hard, painful, scary moments – that this was, in fact the truth. Looking back later, I could see it – have seen it. He was really there for the “good stuff” like the birth of my children, and the happy times I’ve shared with my family and my marriage and my children, and my friends and all the worldly “successes.” What I forget sometimes, is that He’s even there when I don’t feel His presence.
He hasn’t withdrawn His presence – I’ve turned my head away – I’ve stopped looking into His glorious face. And I know it at the time. Deep down; I know it. But, it’s about
me! And I want it to
be about me. I don’t want it to be about anyone else. Because I am weak and small, scared and broken, powerless and alone when it becomes about anyone else . . . and if it’s not about me, then I’m not being attended to, and cared for, and cared about. Do you ever feel that way? Aren’t we crazy (funny/crazy) creatures? We were created in the image and likeness of God. And seemingly from the moment we have an awareness of our own existence we do everything in our power to run from Him and His vision of us!
Why do we do that? Why? He is an everlasting rock! Why do we turn to everyone and everything else in our existence? Why can’t we just let God be God? Oops! There’s that writer’s “we.” I’m speaking only for myself. Sorry. And more than that – I don’t see others the way God sees them either. I don’t look at others and think, “Wow, God really had a good idea when He thought up this person.” I’m not talking about any particular quality in them, just in general. I’m so quick to judge and assume and maybe sometimes even condemn others. Because their very existence is a threat, I think. If they’re not perfect – maybe I’m not either! And it’s about
me! I’m not going to make any “New Year’s resolution” type promises. I’m am self-aware enough to know my own bent on sinning in ways that aren’t even obvious to others – in addition to the several which are! I have had this current revelation because of God’s handiwork in my life, once again. I spent a nice weekend with a friend at a Women of Faith Conference in Washington, D.C. And I kept wondering how she was doing – Is she having a good time? Is she sorry she came? Has this been a good experience for her? And that’s fine. It’s all good. I didn’t mind that at all. I wondered though how much was “sinking in” for me. Thankfully, God works in us even when we’re busy thinking about other things!
Apparently, God was busy in me! And the lesson of the weekend for me was: I have low expectations of people but high expectations of God. And 3. Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee. 4. Trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. God is so very good! And I am so very blessed and humbled by His absolute refusal to “leave me alone.”
My prayer today is that you will rely upon the God of all ages, an everlasting rock. And that you thank him for the other imperfect people in this world, so you can be reminded of who it really
is all about!
Mary
He Answers Before We Call
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Isaiah 65:23b,24 NIV
For they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
Zechariah 13:9 NASB
They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, "They are My people,'
And they will say, "The LORD is my God.'
I don’t know about you, but I spend an inordinate amount of time telling God what I need. I truly believe that God will provide everything I need, and always has. So that’s the paradox. Before we call out – God already answers us – we don’t even to verbalize what is in our hearts at 2 a.m.! And before we begin to speak the words of remorse or regret, sorrow or grief, He hears us, comforts us, and sustains us. And he hears our words of praise and gratitude before they are formed on our lips.
We have the Bible to confirm that God truly is in close communication and involvement with us. Time and time again, God demonstrated His omnipotence to men and women in history. And today, He continues to provide us indisputable proof that He is more than a friend, and more than a parent. I am reminded of the commercial that was broadcast a few months ago about the importance of colo-rectal exams for men in their 50’s. This particular ad had the man’s wife attached to his back, so she literally went with him everywhere. The commercial indicated she would stay there until he had an exam.
I hope that’s not too graphic for anyone, but it certainly depicts the type of relationship God has with us and longs for us to rely upon, trust in, and seek after. Of course, He is not a burden, nor a weight on our backs. He is the source of all comfort and peace. His constant, loving presence is affirmed every time we experience one of those “coincidences” that we know could only be God intervening in our lives – God-incidences.
The verse from Zechariah offers us a glimpse of the mutuality of a relationship with God. He longs for us to call to Him and to rest in Him. He longs to be recognized for what He is – our sustenance and our sufficiency. And we call out to Him in our need – a need that is inherent in us at conception – that longing of the created for the creator. Baby birds cry out to their parents for food – the parent knows they need food – it’s not news to them! And yet we call out to God, and He knows we will – and he rejoices because the cycle begins and continues, generation after generation, until the end of time.
My prayer today is that you call out to your God. And that you trust He will answer before you call, and hear while you are still speaking.
Mary
The Foremost Sinner
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1 Timothy 1:12-17 NASB
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
I don’t know about you, but every so often I receive a wake-up call from God! That’s what Paul is describing to Timothy. Paul didn’t know he was sinning – I guess if you don’t know it, it’s not really a sin, is it? Once he was saved, though, he looked back over his life and probably felt, in that moment of realization, as if the air was being sucked out of his lungs. I imagine him falling to his knees, sobbing in despair. And for the rest of his life, he worked double and triple what others did in order to make up for the lost years.
That’s probably why Paul seems somewhat strident in his delivery sometimes. Part of that element of his message is due to his sense of urgency, but I imagine, also his deep regret. His presentation reflects his own woundedness as well as his ardent desire for the other walking wounded to hear the Good News. I’m sure he felt remorse and stood in awe of the truth that in spite of everything he had done, he was forgiven and washed clean; made new and redeemed.
There is hope. There is peace. There is eternal life! And all are offered at no charge! How often are you brought to your knees by this truth? How often does God’s gift of salvation, granted us through Jesus Christ, take your breath away? Speaking only for myself: Not nearly often enough! Again, speaking only for myself, it’s all too easy to become self-righteous, harsh, even condemning. It’s all too easy to forget that, like Paul, I am a sinner, and among the foremost of all. I found mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience.
That is a tremendous responsibility! And one that is not easy to bear because it requires a high degree of self-awareness. In my case, I have a husband and close friends who call me to task when I stray too far in the direction of the Pharisees and other religious zealots. And sometimes I find myself sitting in a meeting room in a prison, offering company to prisoners there for a bible study or worship service. Sometimes my wake up call is more subtle. How about you? How does God get your attention and remind you of your own brokenness and sinfulness?
The question I continue to ask – others and especially myself is this – how can we help but be on fire considering all that is offered and all those who still need to hear the Good News! How?
My prayer today is that you join me in spreading the Good News. And that we rejoice in the truth that though we are among the foremost sinners, we are washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Mary
Heart Trouble
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Genesis 12:1-5
1. Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3. I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves." 4. So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions which they had gathered, and the persons that they had gotten in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I hear God calling and directing me just as clearly and succinctly as He did Abram. And I respond, “OK God, I’m ready! Let’s do this.” And I work up enthusiasm and I truly do desire to be obedient. And I comply. For a while. . . Partly . . . Sort of . . . Kind of . . . Almost . . . Until I arrive at the “Oh for heaven’s sake! This is just too hard” point. And I have all kinds of reasons . . . excuses . . . identified obstacles . . . and before you know it, my life is one long string of If onlies. And I wonder what if’s.
No, I’m not really intending to beat myself up. Nor am I seeking encouragement to not be so hard on myself. I just flat out know when I’m not doing what God desires of me, and I don’t feel “right” until I comply. We have explained to our son that “Delayed obedience is Disobedience.” And I could write a book on all the ways I’ve run from God! Delayed obedience? How about blatant disobedience? My kids would have been punished for that when they were younger.
How about you? Are you fighting God about something in your life? Are you delaying your obedience? Because . . . But . . . If only . . . As soon as . . . Of course, if you recall, later in the Bible we read that Abram and Sarai thought they needed to tell God how to manage their lives, didn’t they? God told Abram he and Sarai would have a child, and Abram would be the father of generations – the founding father of our faith. And he laughed at God! And He and Sarai hatched a plan to make Abram a father (with Sarai’s slave) so they could “help God along.” So maybe it’s not so uncharacteristically human to respond to God’s call with “Who? Me?” or “Wait a minute, I’ve got a better idea!”
God puts a call on our hearts and He intends for us to respond. Sometimes He calls us in big ways – like going to Divinity School or leaving everything behind and going to foreign country to live in poverty and serve the native people. Sometimes it may require that we leave friends behind. Sometimes it’s a small thing, like reach out to others in compassion and love. Or collect food for a food bank. Or send a note of encouragement to someone. Whatever it is, you know you won’t feel “right” until you comply. Or is it just me, again?
It really boils down to answering these questions. “Do I trust God to take care of me?” And, “Do I believe God wants good and abundance and blessings for me?” Finally, “Do I believe I can do anything God directs me to do, as long as I rely upon His power and wisdom?” The first two are easy to answer – and answer honestly. Of course. Yes. Definitely. Certainly. You don’t even need to ask!” The final one? Hmmmm. Give me some time on that one – because I want to be honest. I say it with my mouth, and in my head, I do believe. It’s my heart that gives me trouble. I am human, and I possess all the glorious qualities of a human being! I also possess that human bent on sinning – denying God; defying God.
My prayer today is that you listen with your ears and with your heart when God calls you. And that you will respond with your heart – in immediate, complete, absolute obedience.
Mary
Poverty of our Time
This prayer is from faithstreams.com, one of the daily newsletters I receive via email. I'm finding myself challenged to focus solely on God this morning, and as I searched for scripture to share, I found I couldn't really be settled upon a particular passage. In my distraction, I opened the email and found this prayer, which I think is beautiful. I hope you will pray this prayer with me today as you go about your busy life.
Mary
Prayer for a Busy Day
The Rev. Margaret B. Gunness
In the midst of this most busy day,
I want to offer to you, most patient Spirit of God,
the poverty of my time. I always feel so rushed
and pressured, and it sometimes seems as if I think
that only the hours of this one day are limited.
Yet I forget that the hours of a lifetime are limited too.
So please slow me down, you patient God,
and help me to be aware that every moment is precious,
and that the sum total of my moments
on this earth are limited and so to treasure them
each and every one.
Instruments of His Purpose
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John 17:1-3
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, since thou hast given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent."
This is eternal life: that they know thee and Jesus Christ. That’s pretty cut and dried. That’s how we attain eternal life. The effort is not ours, but God’s – through the person of Jesus. It really is just mind-blowing when you actually stop to think about it, isn’t it? Accept and believe in the one true God and in Jesus, Son of God. We have eternal life granted merely because Christ walked the earth, and in abject humility and subjugation sacrificed himself on the Cross. For that reason alone—to glorify God and to bring us to Him!
In return, we are to model Christ in these verses: glorify us so that we may glorify God. That means we take no credit for the good we do. It means we accept no praise for what we accomplish, lest we credit our Creator – who has given us the gifts, talents and abilities. It doesn’t mean we are worthless! Exactly the opposite – we are of tremendous intrinsic value. The point is to recognize who values us enough to have created us in the first place.
It’s sounding a bit like the chicken and the egg analogy. We give God the glory because we are glorious beings, created in His image and likeness. We glorify God by simply being whom and what we were made to be and do! Oh, if only it were that easy. We all too often fall into the worldly traps of self-indulgence, self-fulfillment, self-satisfaction – notice a pattern here? Remember my oft repeated Rick Warren quote? “It’s not about you.”
In these verses we read of Jesus not asking for his death to be quick and painless, but for Him to glorify God by how he dies. Make me an instrument of your purpose, is really what Christ is asking God. Because God has given me so much, use me this one last time as you see fit. I think about that and it just blows me away! This being, who could have called upon the angels to carry him away at any moment, chose not to – so we can have eternal life. He chose to glorify God so we can be in heaven at the end of time.
My prayer today is that you seek to glorify God in everything you do and say. And that you thank Him for the gift of His Son.
Mary
Book of Remembrance
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Malachi 3:16-17
Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another; the Lord heeded and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and thought on his name. "They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him."
Hebrews 10:17 KJV
Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Luke 23:43
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
What a loving, gracious God we worship! We are His special possessions – that is what he will remember at the end of time – not our sins. None of them. When I think about this, it really is just mind-boggling, isn’t it?! None of the selfish, self-involved, sinful acts we have ever done will be remembered on judgment day – God’s only to ask one question: “Did you fear me and think about me when you planned your life?”
Oh . . . well, I do think about Him. Every moment? No . . . every hour? Sometimes . . . Every day? Yes . . . Do I sit down and pray about every decision? Do I rest in silence and call upon the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts and my plans? Sometimes . . . Do I pray? Sometimes . . . I think I’m making my point – and I’m speaking only for my own life here! God has promised us perfection at the second coming. How is it possible that we don’t make a more concerted effort to seek Him and His counsel while we’re on this earth?
The verse from Luke recounts the words Jesus said to one of the criminals who was crucified with Him. The thief realized, as he hung there near death, that this man truly was the Son of God. So gracious and merciful is our God that even if we don’t “see the light” until the moment of our death, it is enough for salvation. I don’t really know how many ways it can be said! In light of the all-encompassing, all-surpassing love and forgiveness, mercy and grace of our God, how can we not strive for perfection – knowing and accepting that we will achieve it only in the next life – yet strive still?
Our names will be written in the Book of Life! To continue, would, I imagine become repetitive – though some things are worth repeating over and over again. Like, “Thank you Good and Gracious God.”
My prayer today is that you will meditate upon God’s goodness, mercy and love. And that you extend His grace to everyone you meet today.
Mary
Your God Reigns
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Isaiah 52:1-3, 7
1. Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. 2. Shake yourself from the dust, arise, O captive Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. 3. For thus says the Lord: "You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money. 7. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
I looked up publish in the dictionary, the (2) definition is: To bring to the public attention; announce. I guess, considering myself a writer, I should have known that – I would have thought of announce or broadcast in this context. Of course, at the time Isaiah was alive, there wasn’t a lot of writing going on and most information was dispersed via spoken word.
What announcements! Peace. Salvation. Good tidings of good. How about, “Your God reigns.” That’s the kind of news one would be thrilled to receive. When I read these verses I’m reminded of times I wait for someone to visit me who I haven’t seen in a long time – my parents live on the west coast – so we don’t get to see them nearly as often as we would like to. Waiting for them to arrive invokes the same feeling. Anticipation; expectation; excitement; all those and more run through me as the time for their arrival approaches.
Get up! Get dressed up! Put your best foot forward! God is redeeming us yet again! We were overtaken and forced into slavery, time and time again. Now God is saying it’s all over! We’re free, and we don’t even have to pay the price of freedom – He’s granting it to us without payment or promise. It’s free! And not only that, He will go before us to take care of anyone and anything that might get in our way. That’s the kind of news one wants to spread! Who wouldn’t want to make an announcement like that!
Isaiah is proclaiming that Jerusalem will once again be great – it will be rebuilt and flourish – all a part of God’s plan for His chosen people. Of course we know that time and time again, God’s chosen strayed, stopped trusting in Him, took matters into their own hands. I wonder if God sent Christ to earth because just got tired of telling us the same thing over and over again, year after year, generation after generation, century after century. He decided He needed to do one final thing – tell us one final time for all time how much He loves us, how much He wants us to honor and worship Him. That’s one of the questions I’m going to ask Him when I get to heaven. “Didn’t you ever just get tired of it all?”
The Good News should be ever on our lips, ever in our minds and on our hearts. God redeems us, over and over and over again.
My prayer today is that you publish abroad the Good News of the risen Christ. And that you always remember Your God Reigns.
Mary
Happy Birthday, America!
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And the Lord shall guide thee continually.
Isaiah 58:11 KJV
The Basin and the Towel
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2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Humility is a tough concept. I think it is challenging to fully grasp the meaning of the word, and even more so to live in humility. I looked up
humble and found it defined: unpretentious, meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; showing deferential or submissive respect. Now try applying these definitions to every relationship and activity in your life. Speaking only for myself – it’s nigh impossible!
I attend a healing prayer service on Thursday mornings. A couple of weeks ago, I was especially in tune with the Holy Spirit as the service progressed. I imagined Jesus stooped with basin and towel; moving from friend to friend to friend around the room, gently clasping the heel of each man, guiding their foot over the basin, pouring the water. Cupping each foot and drying it with the towel. This was a slave’s job – the lowliest, least important slave at that.
The basin and the towel. Have you ever participated in a foot-washing? It is humbling to wash the feet of another. It is even more so to be the one whose feet are being washed. It can be uncomfortable to have your feet washed – you can feel exposed and vulnerable. It is very powerful. The tendency is to want to tell the person, get up! You don’t have to get down there on the floor. “Get up.” Isn’t that what Peter told Jesus – Not my feet! Jesus wanted Peter and the others to understand what humility truly is all about.
That is what God tells Solomon in this verse. Solomon has just finished dedicating a temple to God. And God is pleased. The temple is incredible, and God tells him He has heard him and appreciates his efforts to honor God. What He would really like, though, is for the people to humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. Oh . . . that’s different. That’s hard. That goes against human nature, for heaven’s sake! And that is exactly what God wants.
What he wants is for us to be like Christ with the basin and towel. Unpretentious. A slave to others—but a voluntary slave. I don’t mean be a doormat. Jesus was anything but a doormat. He was so certain of His identity in God, and of his purpose that He had nothing to prove to anyone. That freed Him to be who he was, and to do what he was called to do. What would my life be like, lived that way? How would the world be different if we all focused our energy on “washing the feet” of others? To be humble is to be truly free. And truly joyful.
My prayer today is that you humble yourself, pray and seek God’s face. And that you allow others to wash your feet, if they are so called.
Mary
