God’s Unique Style
Sunday, October 20
Psalm 104:1-9
“You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment.…You cover it with the deep as with a garment” (vv. 1, 6, NRSV).
As someone who enjoys fashion, I love to see that God does too. God is purposeful in the attention given to assuring all goes together beautifully to create a cohesive, pleasing, and functional ensemble called the universe. The trained eye of a fashion designer can give us tips on why our outfit hangs together (or doesn’t!). But there is another element—style. We create our own unique style, whether it takes hours or just minutes.
God does the same. God’s unique style is evident in the universe, designed to perfection. We can’t improve upon it, despite our best efforts. The psalmist notices and remarks on it. So should we, daily, and give thanks.
God of heaven and earth, thank you for the beautiful and unique way you style your creation. Forgive our failed efforts to improve upon your designs, and open us to accept and appreciate your handiwork. AMEN.
God’s Creative Gift
Monday, October 21
Psalm 104:10-23
“People go out to their work and to their labor until the evening” (v. 23).
In today’s passage, we again see how the psalmist recognizes the beauty of God’s handiwork. God creates space and sustenance for all creation. Here, too, design is evident in the rhythm and purpose of everything, even human work. While we may be tempted to complain about our work, the psalmist views human work as integral to the rhythm and meaning of life as the rest of creation. There is purpose in our work. The fortunate few whose work fulfills already know its blessing. The rest of us may be left to dig a little deeper to transform our labor into the creative gift from God it was meant to be. Some days that may feel like a tall order, but it is worth the effort when we fully partake of the richness God desires for our lives.
God of life, help us see that your desire for our lives, even in what we find burdensome, is to be part of your creative handiwork, filled with purpose and meaning. AMEN.
God’s Challenge
Tuesday, October 22
Job 38:1-7, 34-41
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird
up your loins like a man; I will question you, and you shall declare to me” (vv. 2-3).
To his credit, despite all the difficulties Job faces, he remains faithful. Yet eventually his patience wears thin, and he challenges God. We’ve all done our share of whining and questioning, offering God our very best advice. But God wants none of it, from Job or us. God’s response puts Job in his place. Who are you to question me? Can you do better? Stand up and trust. Trust that even if it doesn’t seem so, I know what I’m doing. By the end of this whirlwind conversation, Job moves from knowledge about God to understanding of God. Realizing that he was out of line, Job covers his mouth and speaks no more. May it be so with us.
God of all, instill in us the desire to trust your ways, accepting that in your infinite wisdom you understand the needs of all you create. AMEN.
God’s Wounds
Wednesday, October 23
Isaiah 52:13-53:3
“He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity, and as one from whom others hide their faces” (53:3).
This predictor of Christ’s passion links the story of God’s people from ancient days to now. These words remind us that looking upon the very dying body of Christ on the cross would make anyone hide their face; it was too much to bear. We may find ourselves doing the same with the stories of violence, devastation, and innocent slaughter that abound today; it is too much to bear. So we turn it off and turn away. Yet discomfort and guilt hang heavily upon us, like Christ’s lifeless body. We only restore Christ’s body, wounds and all, by modeling Christ and offering our wounded selves to others, no matter where in our lives they appear.
God who suffers and knows our griefs, heal our wounds. We know they will not disappear as yours did not, but they are reminders that in the face of burdens too heavy to bear reside your wounds and our hope. Amen.
God’s Suffering
Thursday, October 24
Isaiah 53:4-12
“Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases, yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted” (v. 4).
We continue with Isaiah’s words about an unusual leader—one who conquers by suffering rather than by might. This leader bears the world’s infirmities and diseases in order to save, yet the world considers this loss a punishment from God. Isaiah counters, proclaiming that suffering is not loss but rather the means of healing and wholeness.
To me, these words link forward to Jesus’s encounter with Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus. They find no hope or healing in Christ’s death, so they walk away in sadness. They had hoped, but all seemed to be lost. Jesus reveals otherwise. So does Isaiah. There is strange power in suffering and death. God’s suffering servant prospers God’s will, and Christ’s brokenness offers new life. Not loss but hope.
Suffering One, despite our tendency to walk away, continue to draw us near and make your will known through the power of your redeeming work. AMEN.
God’s Servants
Friday, October 25
Mark 10:32-45
“And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’” (v. 36).
Fully on display here are the tin ears of James and John. Seconds after Jesus again predicts his coming suffering and death, these two request ringside seats in glory. Both are sighted but blind to Jesus as Messiah.
By contrast, on the heels of this passage appears Bartimaeus, blind but able to see Jesus as the Son of David. He cries out, requesting mercy and sight. Same question, two responses: one self-serving, the other to serve.
What are we asking Christ to do for us? Are we bent on personal gain? Or are we willing to drink the cup of sacrifice and service, no matter how bitter? We might take comfort that no matter our selfish and silly requests, as with the disciples of old, Christ redeems and uses us still.
God of mercy, thank you that despite our tin ears and self-serving requests, your love remains boundless, even to the point of death. Amen.
God’s Call
Saturday, October 26
Hebrews 5:1-5
“And one does not presume to take this honor but takes it only when called by God” (v. 4).
The author of today’s passage offers a couple key points about God’s call. First, God’s call is an honor. If we are clergy, we’re compelled to think about this, articulate what it means, and understand its gravity. Then, we get out of the way and allow God’s work to flourish. It’s not about us. If we’re not clergy, perhaps we dismiss it. I’m “just” a singer, a biologist, an entrepreneur, a pet-groomer. It doesn’t pertain to me. But God calls each of us. As part of the “priesthood of all believers,” we are all called.
Second, don’t presume. God calls; we respond. We don’t claim special access directly to God for our pet desires or beliefs. We wait for this call, as did Christ. If Christ empties himself of all heavenly benefits and in humility responds to God’s call, should we not do the same?
God, may we listen for your call and humbly respond to your divine honor. AMEN.
