Mystery Of Trinity
Sunday, June 15
John 16:12-15
Xuan (Tracy) Wang
Evangelical Covenant Church
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Are your conversations with God filled with questions like, why do you allow tragedies to happen? Why have you not done anything to stop them? Why can you not tell us everything in detail? Why? If I say them out loud, you might think I am a spiritual toddler in my “why” phase.
This passage reminds me that I am a fortunate spiritual two-year-old with a loving and endlessly patient heavenly Father. More importantly, it reminds me of the immense wisdom in God that is beyond our comprehension and capabilities to bear. The wisdom of God is unchanged. But the timing, our ability to contain the wisdom, and our capacity to bear the truth are all crucial to receive the value of God’s wisdom.
There will always be so much we do not understand about God, about ourselves, and about the world. So the next time I feel frustrated, crying to God, and dying to know the answers, I will ask myself first: Am I ready to receive the answer?
Father, grant me the patience and contentment to trust and wait for you always. Amen.
Set Free
Monday, June 16
Acts 2:29-33
Wendy Daly
Saint Thomas Church
Millis, Massachusetts
“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear” (vv. 32-33, NIV).
This passage brings me hope. For years my husband had convinced me that I had mental problems and that our problems were my fault. Any attempts I made to fix the problems resulted in disaster. This year the Holy Spirit assured me that I have never had mental problems. Rather, we have a domestic violence problem. Longstanding abuse had become normalized as he isolated our family more and more. Acts 2-3 reminds me that forgiveness is available through repentance and salvation.
I know I cannot change him or fix him. I have hope because his life is not my life, his soul is not my soul. I do not have to make something work that even God does not force. Christ has set me free.
Lord Jesus, thank you for setting us free. May our loved ones come to know the freedom you bring. Amen.
Hope
Tuesday, June 17
Romans 5:1-5
Devyn Chambers Johnson
Covenant Congregational Church
North Easton, Massachusetts
Hoping is a vulnerable and courageous act. When we decided to start a family, our initial hope was marked by joy and excitement. But as the months dragged on, hope became a much more complicated feeling. Hoping was painful and difficult because month after month it ended in disappointment. I became fearful and embarrassed to hope.
Our passage today states that “hope does not put us to shame” (v. 5). The hope in this passage is not for a positive pregnancy test but rather hope in the saving power of Jesus and his promise to return. Much as my hope wore thin as I waited for parenthood, so too we as believers may find our hope wearing thin as we wait for Christ to return and for justice to reign on earth. But hope does not put us to shame. God never promised me pregnancy, but he has promised us all that he will make all things right. Our hope in Christ will one day be fulfilled.
Holy God, give us grace and strength to hold onto the hope we profess. Amen.
Wisdom Is Calling
Wednesday, June 18
Proverbs 8:1-9
Devyn Chambers Johnson
Covenant Congregational Church
North Easton, Massachusetts
The Scripture passage today starts with the phrase “Does not wisdom call out?” My first response was to wonder, Will we answer? Will we answer wisdom’s call?
But as I read what wisdom says, I realized that the wise thing is not to answer but to listen. Listening is perhaps the wisest thing we can do. Listening is a lost art and a forgotten spiritual practice. But if we listen well, not just to receive knowledge but to be transformed, then our answer to wisdom is not words but changed lives.
This is much more difficult than producing an answer or displaying our knowledge because it requires humility and steadfastness.
God of wisdom and grace, help us to listen deeply for your wisdom and to respond not with answers but with changed lives. Amen.
Life In The Bleachers
Thursday, June 19
Proverbs 8:10-14
Susan Plante
Covenant Congregational Church
North Easton, Massachusetts
As a mother, and now as a mother-in-law, I find myself confronted with choices on numerous issues. How much should I reach out to my kids and seek a stronger connection? If I am rebuffed, should I just try harder to show how invested I am, or should I step back and assume they just want space?
In today’s passage God says, “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence” (v. 12, NAS), and wisdom has “knowledge and discretion.” I admit these words initially left me bewildered and unsettled. I feel as if I reside in the bleachers. Occasionally I am invited to come down and play on the field, but then I retreat to the bleachers to watch from a distance. It can be sad and lonely being up there so much. But I do know Jesus is sitting next to me and letting me lean on him as he wipes my tears.
Lord, please give me wisdom in all my relationships. Thank you for being my constant companion. Amen.
How To Make God Smile
Friday, June 20
Proverbs 8:22-36
Melissa Otten
Covenant Church of Easton
Connecticut
It never feels good when we do something foolish. It always serves us well when we’re prepared and have done our “homework” and can act or speak with wisdom.
As Christians, we are called to pursue godly wisdom and truth, rooted in the knowledge and nature of God. This wisdom was present before the creation of the world in God and supersedes any human wisdom. With this kind of wisdom, we make sound decisions, which lead to glorifying God and blessing others as well as ourselves.
In God’s infinite wisdom and love for us, God provided the perfect sacrifice and handed us the choice of whether to trust in Jesus. God provides the way to true wisdom, which helps us in the choice between life or death. Which will you choose?
Lord God, in your mercy and grace, please grant me the wisdom to make choices that honor and glorify your name. Amen.
We Don’t Know What To Do
Saturday, June 21
Psalm 8
Odessa Lopez
Covenant Church of Easton
Connecticut
Psalm 8 is the response of someone whose heart posture has allowed them to witness and experience God’s faithfulness and goodness. It reminds us of how we must approach the Lord and that the Lord will make us a shield of victory against our enemies. This helps us target what we truly should focus on: considering the heavens and how God governs, what we learn from God, and God’s example and leadership as we are reminded of the work of God’s fingers.
God is a God of great detail. The work of his fingers represents his dedication to working out things in our life internally and externally. He will perfect the things that concern you and shall be faithful to complete the work that needs to be done in your life. Why? Because God loves you and cares about every detail. God knows the number of hairs on your head. Not a leaf falls to the ground without God allowing it. Understanding and resting in this truth will transform our world inside and out.
Lord, humble me so I can be transformed. Amen.
