Posts from October 2022 (Page 2)
Daily Devotions
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.” vs. 3 Psalm 84:1-7 This psalm was likely sung by believers as they made their way to Jerusalem for one of the three annual pilgrimage festivals of Judaism. It was an exciting time, and everyone looked forward to making their offerings and worshiping in the temple. This was the…
Daily Devotions
Then the man said, ‘You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.’” vs. 28 Genesis 32:26-32 These days when traveling through Israel, tourists are amazed to discover large fields of prickly pear cactus. The pads are eaten as a vegetable and the pods make delicious jams and jellies–in Israel they are known as “sabra,” which is also the name given to native born Israelis. The name describes…
Daily Devotions
Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.” vs. 24 Genesis 32:22-25 Jacob had fled from Esau’s presence when his trickery in stealing his father’s blessing had been revealed, and he had stayed with his uncle Laban for over 20 years. He had married Laban’s daughters and had become a wealthy man, but he yearned for his homeland. After sending word to Esau that he was on the way, Jacob stayed alone at the ford of…
Daily Devotions
And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” vss. 7-8 Luke 18:6-8 The parable of the unjust judge has been clear in affirming the faithfulness of God. If a crooked judge will answer persistent petitions, then certainly God will do…
Daily devotions
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.” vs. 1 Luke 18:1-5 Jesus knew that prayer can often be a disheartening experience, mostly because there seems to be no response from God. So he tells his disciples a parable about an unjust judge who neither feared God nor respected people. But when a poor woman kept coming with a plea for justice, the judge finally granted her request just to keep…
Daily Devotions
For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires…” vs. 5 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Paul, looking back on decades of ministry, has some sound advice for the young preacher and teacher. “Proclaim the message,” he says, “be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage,” and have patience. What Paul advises is not easy in these…
Daily Devotions
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” vs. 16 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Early Christians didn’t start from scratch as they proclaimed the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Their whole message was based on the Hebrew Scriptures, and most of them had been well-trained in its teachings before they became followers of Jesus. This was their community’s story, and they found great inspiration in the writings…
Daily Devotions
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.” vs. 8 Psalm 121 If we were to list our psalms of comfort, this one would probably rank near the top. This psalmist understood God, and he was able to provide a metaphor that describes the ever-vigilant nature of God better than any other. He writes, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from…
Daily Devotions
We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord, the iniquity of our ancestors, for we have sinned against you.” vs. 20 Jeremiah 14:19-22 According to Jeremiah, the people of Judah acknowledged the iniquity of their ancestors and furthermore, confessed it to be their own. Their attitude contrasts with the attitudes of those in our time who refuse to accept any responsibility for the despicable acts of prior generations. In some places, teachers are forbidden from teaching anything about the past that might…
Daily Devotions
Why should you be like someone confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot give help? Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not forsake us!” vs. 9 Jeremiah 14:7-10 Judah was in a period of famine and drought, with powerful enemies closing in on every side, and they needed the Lord’s help. But nothing was happening, and the people were in despair. As was their custom they complained, perhaps…
Daily Devotions
Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’” vs.19 Luke 17:15-19 Faith is a big word for the followers of Jesus. We run across it regularly as we read the scriptures and have discovered that it can have a variety of meanings. In this instance, Jesus ascribes it to a Samaritan man who had been healed of his leprosy. Evidently all ten of the lepers had faith, they had trusted…
Daily Devotions
When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean.” vs. 14 Luke 17:11-14 As we’ve learned to live with COVID, we’ve had to deal with ever-changing regulations for quarantine and travel. Once diagnosed, we have to be able to show a negative test to resume normal activities, and that hasn’t always been easy. We’ve missed family gatherings and had to cancel trips, all in the interest…