Devotions in Preparation for Sunday, July 19th
Read Genesis 28:10-19. In this story, Jacob and his mother, Rebekah, have just swindled his older brother out of his inheritance. Fleeing his brother’s wrath, Jacob leaves to be with his uncle, among whose people Jacob will find a bride. On the way, he sets up camp and has an encounter with God, who promises to accompany and bless Jacob.
We don’t read anything about Jacob’s feelings over what he had done, but we can imagine there must have been a measure of guilt and shame. What a surprise it must have been for God to show up at that time and in that place before Jacob had done anything to right the wrongs he had done. Jacob is so moved by this incredible act of grace, he takes the rock he had been using as a pillow and turns it into an altar to commemorate this experience.
Think about a time when you did or said something that made you feel guilty or ashamed. Did you face the situation head on or did you try to avoid it? Looking back, in what ways did God show up in that situation? Did you have a sense of forgiveness or grace – either from the person you harmed or from God? How might you best commemorate that experience?
Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s grace and blessing. Commit yourself to being transformed by that promise.
Read Psalm 139. In this psalm, David paints this beautiful picture of a God who intimately knows us at the deepest levels even better than we know ourselves. This is a God who created us and gifted us to make our own unique contribution in the world. This is a God who accompanies us through every up and down of life. There is nowhere we can go to escape the presence and love of God. This truth surely makes God worthy of praise and adoration. But then, right in the middle, we see that David can’t help but sneak in a little human nature. “God you are so great and mighty, I shall praise you with every breath! But, by the way, can you take care of the people I deem as wicked?”
How often do you find yourself heading down the path of negativity when you are trying to be positive? How often, in your private prayers, does your mind wander towards what is wrong with the world or towards some sort of personal grievance? How might you keep your heart and mind centered on praise and thanksgiving?
Offer a prayer of praise by listening to or singing a favorite hymn or song. Bonus points for dancing!
Read Romans 8:12-25. This passage is largely about hope. It is about going through difficult times with the hope that there are better days ahead. It is about finding hope in knowing that death and decay often give way to birth and new life. It is also about longing, yearning, and waiting patiently for goodness, life, and light to triumph over sorrow and pain.
When was a time your patience was rewarded with an even greater gift than you imagined? What gift from God are you waiting for? What promise do you hear this passage speaking to you?
Today, lift your greatest hopes and dreams to God, finding assurance that regardless of the outcome, God is listening.
Read Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. In this parable, Jesus is revealing the fact that we humans are not always the best judge of character. We draw lines between who we think is good (us) and who we think is bad (them), who should be in (us) and who should be out (them), or who is right (us) and who is wrong (them). Throughout the Gospels and especially in Matthew, we are advised to be less concerned with the wrong we see in others and more concerned about the fruit we are bearing in our own lives.
Has there been a time in your life when you found you were wrong about someone? Have you ever rushed to judgement about someone only to discover you were being unfair or you didn’t have the whole story? How does this parable connect with and what lessons can be learned in these types of situations?
Offer a prayer of confession for those times you focus too much on us vs. them and pray for a deeper commitment to “we”.