Devotions in Preparation for Sunday, August 16th
Devotions in Preparation for Sunday, August 16th
Read Genesis 45:1-15. If there was anyone who had a right to seek revenge on their brothers, Joseph could be that person. In fact, Joseph was planning to get back at his brothers for the terrible acts they committed against him. God was able to change his perspective. Instead of looking at his life through the lens of anger, he was able to look at it through the lens of faith. Joseph was able to see how God brought good amid harmful intentions. With a new perspective, Joseph was able to forgive and be generous.
Do you carry bitterness in your heart? How might looking for God even as you are being mistreated change your perspective?
Ask God to help change your perspective.
Read Psalm 133. “How good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” Historically, this psalm has been used in the communion liturgy to remind the family of God that all are welcome to a place at the Lord’s table. This invitation reminds us that our kinship goes beyond blood ties. All of humanity is a part of God’s love story with the universe. We live in a world that is steeped in disunity, but we, as followers of Christ, are called to speak a different word.
We are called to see beauty in diversity of thought, tradition, and experience, understanding that part of growing and deepening in faith is learning from one another. We are called to feel the pain of another’s wounds and to be agents of healing. We are called to humility, knowing we don’t deserve a place at the table any more than anyone else and yet Jesus makes room for us.
In prayer, consider how your words and actions contribute to disunity and pray for a spirit of unity and love.
Read Romans 11:1-2,29-32. These verses capture the essence of Paul’s theology. Because we are human, we are prone to brokenness and sin. We have a tendency to seek our own desires no matter the cost to our spiritual, emotional, or physical health, and no matter the cost to others. And yet, does God reject us? By no means, insists Paul! God continues to work through the grace of Jesus Christ to turn us towards the good and to redeem all people, even those who Paul and his contemporaries might have viewed as outside the circle of God’s redemption.
Do you ever feel ‘bound to sin,’ as Paul puts it? Can you think of any good that has come from your sin? Are there any former sins that no longer seem to have a hold over you?
In prayer, thank God for continuing to draw you towards goodness and life.
Read Matthew 15:21-28. In this story, a woman shouts out, begging Jesus for help, and Jesus ignores her. His disciples go a step further and tell Jesus to send her away. Sometimes the need of another is disruptive to our peace or our plans. Sometimes we would rather ignore the person who is asking for help than to risk being inconvenienced or being taken advantage of. Yet the woman’s persistence convinces Jesus to heal her daughter and this seems to be a turning point in his ministry. It is after this interaction in Matthew that Jesus expands his mission to include those outside the Jewish faith.
We never know when a disruption in life will transform us. We never know who God might be working through. When an opportunity to help someone presents itself, how might you be more open to what God is asking of you? How can you be a bearer of the hope, mercy, and abundant life that Jesus offers?
In prayer, ask the Spirit to give you eyes to see the needs of others and a heart that moves you into action.