Welcome Home
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, August 25
Psalm 84
I once accidentally set off the security alarm at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Arriving a few minutes after closing, I pulled on the gift shop door and was sent running by a loud siren that echoed across the grounds of that majestic house of worship. I don’t think an alarm system counts as a “doorkeeper in the house of my God” (v. 10, NRSV), but it was effective! Then again, God doesn’t ask his doorkeepers to keep people out. He invites us in, welcoming us into his dwelling place.
Whether it’s a church building or a quiet corner of your home, the place where you meet with God is sacred, a sanctuary where your heart can “sing for joy to the living God” (v. 2) and where “he bestows favor and honor” (v. 11). Go to the courts of the Lord today and find refuge in his goodness and love.
Thank you, Lord of hosts, for welcoming me into your house. Draw me close today and teach me to trust in you through Jesus my Savior. Amen.
The God Who Listens
Monday, August 26
1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43
Shortly before he was elected president in 1860, Abraham Lincoln received a letter from a young girl named Grace Bedell advising him to grow a beard to improve his “personal appearance.” Lincoln wrote back to Grace, thanking her for the suggestion but explaining that he didn’t like to change his daily habits. Of course, he later took his young adviser’s suggestion and grew the beard for which he became so famous.
It’s remarkable that someone of such importance would heed a letter from a child; how much more amazing is it that the Lord God listens to our prayers. But it’s true, God delights to hear from us. Like Solomon, we can pray toward Jerusalem, or we can turn to God wherever we are, knowing that the covenant-keeping God of steadfast love always listens.
Lord, hear my prayer and have mercy on me. Thank you for listening and for keeping all your promises through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Walking Blamelessly
Tuesday, August 27
Psalm 15
We live in a time when people seem not to care about doing what is right. From greed and selfishness to the disregard of morality and civility, our culture doesn’t value walking blamelessly or doing good. Of course, that all changes when we become the victim of someone else’s blameful, shameful behavior. It turns out, “do unto others” still applies sometimes.
That’s especially true from God’s perspective. This psalm is an invitation into God’s safe dwelling place, and it comes with a list of qualifications. If we want to abide with the Lord, we need to walk blamelessly, do what is right, and speak the truth. We also need to stop doing hurtful, evil things. Our relationship with God comes through faith in Jesus, who calls us to follow the way of God’s Word. As we do, we “shall never be moved” (v. 5).
Father in heaven, teach me to walk in your ways of goodness and love. Use me to show others who Jesus is. Amen.
Choosing Jesus
Wednesday, August 28
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-18
Perhaps the greatest right guaranteed by our democratic society is freedom of religion. No one should infringe upon someone else’s expression of spirituality and faith. This right shapes our civil society, and it also informs our Christ-honoring ministry. We don’t force anyone to follow Jesus. We don’t—we can’t—make anyone believe in God. But we do publicly and boldly proclaim our faith in Christ, leaving no doubt to whom our hearts belong.
Joshua stood before the people of God and declared, on behalf of his family, “We will serve the Lord” (v. 15). Even if others turned away, they were committed in faith. Even if it meant criticism, rejection, or social isolation, they would serve God.
May our devotion to Jesus be steadfast. May our love for God be unwavering. May our faith be a compelling example to those around us, inviting them into the gracious arms of the Savior.
Jesus, I choose you. I choose to follow, love, and serve you. Help me to remain faithful, as I live and pray in your name. Amen.
The Mysterious Meal
Thursday, August 29
John 6:51-58
Our faith has mysteries but not secrets. We believe things that seem impossible and are hard to explain, but we don’t hide our faith from the world. We invite everyone to hear the truth of Christ, to taste the goodness of his grace, and receive eternal life in his name.
When Jesus explained the communion meal, people couldn’t make sense of it. Why would we eat his flesh and drink his blood? How can his body give us life? It’s a spiritual mystery, and Jesus invites us to taste and see how good it is.
It might be tempting to hide away these verses from those who don’t yet know Jesus, but instead, we proclaim his death until he comes again and we share communion joyfully with other believers. It’s our witness to and participation in Jesus’s death and resurrection.
Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me and giving me eternal life through your broken body and shed blood. Give me courage to tell your story to a world in need. I pray in your good name. Amen.
No Turning Back
Friday, August 30
John 6:59-69
When I watch my favorite team play baseball, I wrestle with doubt. If we’re behind, I doubt we can come back. If we take the lead, I doubt we can hold it. Until the final out is recorded, I struggle to believe.
Jesus knows all about our doubts. Some of those who had started to follow him turned back when his teaching became too extreme or his demands too severe. Let us not be too quick to judge these wayward disciples. We all struggle to believe as purely and to follow as obediently as we should. But for the grace of God, we would turn back too.
Jesus taught hard truths, and he asks us to do things we can’t do in our own strength. When you feel tempted to turn back, remember that Jesus has the “words of eternal life” (v. 68). When we trust him, he will help us overcome doubt and fear.
Lord, give me strength when I am weak, and fill my heart with faith when I doubt. I need you today and for eternity. Amen.
Near to the Brokenhearted
Saturday, August 31
Psalm 34:15-22
David wrote this psalm 3,000 years ago, yet we still know exactly what he meant by feeling “brokenhearted” (v. 18). Despite all the changes in culture and advances in technology over the past 30 centuries, humanity hasn’t found a way to prevent broken hearts or crushed spirits. We all cry sometimes.
The wonderful promise of these verses is that God sees our tears. He knows about our hurts and our sorrows. The Lord draws near to us in times of suffering, disappointment, and loss. You are not alone in your pain. Your broken heart does not go unnoticed. The Spirit is with you today, offering comfort and peace. Take refuge in the Lord, and find hope in place of sorrow and healing in place of hurt.
Lord of mercy and peace, draw near in our times of need. Rescue and redeem me when I fall into the darkness of despair. Lift me up again with the joy of knowing Jesus my Savior, through whom I pray. Amen.
