All Who Are Weary
Sunday, November 2
Isaiah 1:10-20
As I snuggled my two-year-old to watch his first-ever movie, we clicked “play” on Finding Nemo—and were shocked to discover that the mother fish and all the siblings are eaten by a barracuda in the first scene! The opening of the book of Isaiah can be similarly shocking. It’s not the encouragement we may be used to from other Isaiah passages. We often see ourselves as the weary and heavy-laden who come to God who relieves our burdens, yet here God is the one who is weary and heavy-laden by our flurry of religious activity. God is not impressed and did not ask for it. More than that, God hates it and turns away because, despite their religiosity, the people continue evil acts, neglect what is good, do not rescue the oppressed, plead for the widow, or seek justice. God desires our transformation, not our empty activity.
Creator God, may we not allow the busyness of our lives or our religious activity to cause us to neglect the call to justice, mercy, and humility. May we do the good that is ours to do in building your kingdom. Amen.
A Heart Of Integrity
Monday, November 3
Psalm 101
Transformation to Christlikeness is not only about personal actions; it’s about aligning our hearts with God. Isaiah’s hearers in yesterday’s passage missed this truth, and their daily activities became abhorrent to God. When we study who God is, we can live lives of integrity as our actions and our hearts align with the heart of God. Psalm 101 is full of practical advice. For example, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless” (v. 3, ESV).
I invite you to read the whole psalm prayerfully, verse by verse as you examine your heart. Reflect on what you are setting your physical and spiritual eyes upon this week.
Gracious God, David opens this chapter with praise for your faithful love and justice. Help us not to miss that when we embrace these attributes in you, we develop a foundation for making choices that transform us into who you created us to be. Conform our hearts, O Lord. Amen.
A Journey Of Imperfection
Tuesday, November 4
Psalm 51:1-10
Awareness of our wrongdoing can come through many different means. It could be through a prophetic voice, teaching in the church, or hearing stories of those whom we have harmed directly or indirectly. Awareness is a crucial part of our transformation. We must recognize where we fall short in order to sincerely seek forgiveness as David does so powerfully in verses 1–2. We approach God for forgiveness not because we deserve it or because God owes it to us or because we seek to do better. We approach God because of who God is. We dare to believe and cast our entire future on our trust that God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love” (Exodus 34:6).
Forgiving God, grant us the humility to see our places of error and the courage to be quick to repent to you, as well as to our brothers and sisters for the things we have done, the things we left undone, the times when we have not pleaded for the cause of those in need, and for the ways we have participated in institutions and systems that cause harm. Amen.
Above The Crowds
Wednesday, November 5
Luke 19:1-5
Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus but could not see him through the crowds. Despite his riches, he humbles himself by running ahead and climbing a tree. He was not thinking about appearances. He was thinking about Jesus. The crowds were in the way, so he climbed a tree. Zacchaeus did not succumb to discouragement but lived in joy.
As we strive to follow Jesus in our worship, work, marketplace, and relationships, we may not have to climb a tree, but there may be plenty of other things, people, commentary, and news that get in the way of seeing Jesus. What metaphorical trees do you need to climb? What do you need to do to get above the clamor of the crowd?
God of love, teach us to rise above the clamor, the messages that threaten to discourage us, and all the things that keep us from hearing your voice. Thank you for continually reminding us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, created for good deeds that you have prepared us to do. Amen.
Courageous Humility
Thursday, November 6
Luke 19:6-10
If we were reading the Gospel of Luke straight through, we might anticipate that things would not end well for Zacchaeus. Luke has quite a few harsh things to say about rich people, but Jesus is constantly welcoming the “wrong” people. Jesus sees Zacchaeus’s heart. Zacchaeus does not come with a posture of arrogance; instead, he humbles himself by climbing a tree. Then, when the good religious people complain that Jesus has gone to the house of a sinner, courageous Zacchaeus declares he will give half of his possessions to the poor. Jesus sees past all the appearances to our heart, and when we are around Jesus, we find the courage to follow our God-given hearts in radical acts of generosity.
Provider God, thank you for seeing past all appearances. No matter our context, or our work, or what others think of us, thank you for making a place for us in your family. May we, like Zacchaeus, embrace the courage to stand up amid critical crowds and to respond with extreme generosity. Amen.
More Than Prize Fighters
Friday, November 7
Psalm 119:137-144
The precise structure and devotional character of Psalm 119 can get lost in translation. This psalm is composed of twenty-two sets of eight verses, with intentional repetition, drawing the reader beyond the search for theological nuggets into being bathed in blessing. We are mindful of the variety of ways God’s revelation informs, guides, and shapes our lives, culminating in verse 144: “Your decrees are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live” (NRSVUE). There is no life apart from God’s ongoing revelation! Too often, we have it backward, rushing around in search of spiritual insights to fit our lives.
Sustainer God, the psalmist reminds us that it is faith that forms us and challenges the way we think about ourselves, as God’s revelation tells us who we are. May our hearts be softened today to who you created us to be, so we are not merely living by survival but thriving as we live out of who you created us to be. Amen.
Aim To Behave
Saturday, November 8
Psalm 119:169-176
As I raise teenagers, it is difficult to imagine them saying, “Your law is my delight” (v. 174). My teenagers are not unique in their desire to hold onto their freedom, but the psalmist understands something deeper. God’s law is about a God who cares for us personally, longs for us to live differently, and whose intentions are what is very best for us. I heard about a Bible study at a retirement community where the leader asked which were the most difficult of the ten commandments to follow. One resident responded, “Given my age and where I live, there are at least five commandments I couldn’t break if I wanted to.” When asked how that felt, she said, “It feels wonderful!” Like the psalmist, who found deliverance in the law, that woman found care, freedom, and assurance in her limited circumstances.
Lord of our peace, we celebrate that you have told us how to live. May we see the freedom, safety, and comfort that affords us even as we give up our freedom to do exactly what we want. Amen.
