Feeling Inadequate?
Sunday, August 24
Jeremiah 1:4-10
If you feel inadequate, join the club. You are in good company! In today’s text, the prophet Jeremiah tried to beg off God’s calling, arguing, “I don’t know what to say,” and, “I’m too young.” But God would have none of that. God promised to give him the words and the courage.
Jeremiah is joined by Moses at the burning bush: “Who am I that I should go?” (Exodus 3:11, NRSVUE). And Gideon: “Pardon me, my lord,” as he listed reasons God should send someone else (Judges 6:15-16, NIV). In each case, God promised to supply what was needed.
Do you feel inadequate? If God calls, as he has done before, he will give what is needed. No excuses will hold up for you either.
Lord, when I want to make excuses, remind me that you will always provide whatever I need. Amen.
Fearfully And Wonderfully Made
Monday, August 25
Psalm 139:1-6,13-18
Many years ago the Covenant sent out a calendar with the memorable words of gospel singer Ethel Waters: “I am somebody because God made me and God don’t make no junk.” God created each of us and knows all about us.
Think about this: our heart beats nonstop—seventy times per minute, 4,000 times per hour, 100,000 times per day, over 36 million times per year, and in a lifetime 2 to 3 billion times!
Recently we went to a piano concert by Roman Rabinovich, who played forty-five minutes of complex music without sheet music—all stored in his brain and brought alive through his eyes and hands. God’s handiwork is amazing. He made each of us as miracles too (maybe just not quite as gifted!).
Lord, thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it (v. 14). Amen.
Our Rock And Our Fortress
Tuesday, August 26
Psalm 71:1-6
Scholars believe this psalm was written by David in his old age. He was still plagued by enemies and the fears that came with leadership. “Save me!” “Rescue me!” “Be my rock and my fortress!” he cried out.
As I have passed the fourscore milestone, I look back and see how God has been there in many ways—through the tragic death of my father, chronic illness of my mother, and many smaller challenges. Now come the challenges of old age. Yet like David, I can say, “O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood” (v. 5, NLT).
Lord, may I always look to you as my rock and fortress, no matter what comes my way. Amen.
Miracle Healing
Wednesday, August 27
Luke 13:10-13
At my home church, built over 125 years ago, we had to climb fifteen to twenty stairs to get to the front door. There was little thought back then about access for the disabled or elderly.
The Bible shows some people’s misunderstandings about disability. Jesus’s disciples asked, “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” when they saw a man born blind (John 9:2, NIV). Mephibosheth, the grandson of King Saul, was not only excluded from royal lineage but likely ostracized because he was “crippled in his feet” (2 Samuel 4:4, NRSVUE).
In today’s text, Jesus heals a woman who had been bent over for many years. Jesus, with compassion, healed her—no condemnation, only freedom, which led to her praise.
Lord, give us compassionate hearts for those in need. Amen.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Thursday, August 28
Luke 13:14-16
After healing the disabled woman, Jesus was confronted by synagogue leaders who scolded him for healing on the Sabbath. It’s hard to understand their blindness. Jesus named their disability: hypocrisy.
Were they saying, “This is our turf”? “You’re taking attention away from us”? Or were they blindly legalistic? Regardless, Jesus exposed their hypocrisy. At the end of the day, the woman rejoiced, the accusers were silenced, and the crowd cheered for Jesus.
The question for us: Where does hypocrisy dwell in my life?
Lord, open my eyes to my own blindness. Amen.
Consequences
Friday, August 29
Isaiah 58:9b-14
There’s a family story about a nephew who at age nine or ten skied off alone and got lost. When reunited with the family, he said, “I suppose there will be consequences!”
In today’s passage God outlines consequences: “If…then…” Disobedience produces dire consequences, but God will bless the people if they follow God. God’s desire is never to punish but to bless. That’s why he sent his Son into the world (John 3:16).
The consequence of trusting Jesus is eternal life. Wow!
Almighty God, you are the Rock of ages who stands firm for all eternity. Forgive us for putting our faith in anything but you. Amen.
Ready For Worship?
Saturday, August 30
Psalm 103:1-8
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (vv. 1-2, NIV).
Psalm 103 is a perfect springboard for worship and praise. Our God, who heals, forgives, redeems, crowns with love and compassion, satisfies, and works righteousness and justice calls us to worship. How could we not respond with praise?
If we don’t recognize this truth, it’s easy to get distracted in worship by the woman singing off-key, the unrelatable sermon illustration, or the stale communion bread. But true worship is about God, who is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love.
Let us prepare our hearts for worship.
Lord, fill my heart with true gratitude as I come to worship. Amen.
