The Heavens Declare
SUNDAY, October 11
Psalm 19
My family was camping in the wilderness, relaxing as the sun went down, when we caught sight of the stars. We gawked as billions of tiny lights filled the ceiling of the sky and took our breath away. Nothing like that is visible in the suburbs! Even my childhood in the country didn’t prepare me for the wonder of clear skies and no other lights for a hundred miles.
I understood the psalmist a bit better that night as I watched the heavens telling the glory of God, the stars proclaiming his handiwork, the sky pouring forth his truth. Before we had the Scriptures to hold in our hands, we had this first book, God’s creation, declaring day and night the Creator’s beauty, power, and majesty.
We may not pay as much attention as our ancestors did to the messages creation displays—but what if we did? What might we learn of God’s character and truth if we were paying attention?
Prayer
Creator God, help us open our eyes to see you in this world you so lovingly made. Amen.
It All Boils Down To Love
Monday, October 12
Exodus 20:1-7
When Jesus was asked which commandments were the most important, he chose two: Love God and love your neighbor. The Scriptures offer more laws, rules, boundaries, and standards than we can count, but Jesus made it simple: they all boil down to love. Love God, love each other.
Centuries earlier, God gave Moses what we call the Ten Commandments. In the first several commands, we meet God and learn how to love God well. We learn that this God redeemed the people from slavery and shows steadfast love to a thousand generations. We are commanded to love God, not because God is egocentric but because we need to be love-centric. Other gods will call for violence, abuse, and oppression; worshiping them will ultimately destroy us. But as we love and worship this God, we will be formed into agents of justice and love in this world.
Prayer
Lord God, teach us how to love you. May we be formed into your image and compassion. Amen.
That We May Flourish
Tuesday, October 13
Exodus 20:8-17
As a parent, I’m always giving instructions that go unheeded: “It’s snowing, wear a coat,” or, “Don’t forget to brush your teeth.” I offer these rules not to control and exasperate my children, but to lead them to a path of flourishing. They may ignore me, but they discover wisdom in my advice eventually (often the hard way).
In the Ten Commandments God shows us how we can love each other well, not because God wants to control us but so we can flourish. God knows all too well how we neglect or harm our neighbors. So he gives us a pathway to life: Don’t exploit your workers; give them rest. Honor your parents and elders. Don’t kill or abuse or steal from each other.
It may seem basic (like remembering a coat or brushing our teeth) but how are we doing? Truth be told, we too often fail to meet the bar of loving our neighbors as ourselves. But God’s vision is compelling: if we love God and love our neighbors, we will flourish together.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, teach us to see your image in our neighbors and to care for each other as you have taught. Amen.
The Kingdom Belongs To Children
Wednesday, October 14
Matthew 19:13-15
Our flight was delayed. The Dalai Lama was traveling in the same terminal, and everything was shut down to ensure his safety and security. I didn’t complain. I was too busy looking around hoping to catch a glimpse!
We all know how the kingdoms of earth function: the more platform, power, wealth, or status you have, the more deference you can expect. No one needs to teach us the pecking order. We humans have it ingrained from birth.
But the kingdom of heaven is different. It’s so different that even an esteemed teacher and healer like Jesus—the Son of God!—interrupted his schedule to prioritize little children. In God’s kingdom, it isn’t the powerful who come first but the weak, the small, the overlooked.
What would it look like for us to start valuing what God values? Where could you begin?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for showing us a kingdom that belongs to little children. Help us to learn your ways here and now. Amen.
The Million-Dollar Question
Thursday, October 15
Matthew 19:16-22
Have you ever heard someone attempt to prove their point with the phrase “The Bible clearly says…”? The challenge is, reading the Bible is one thing, following it is another. We can read “love your neighbor as yourself,” but can we love our neighbor as we love ourselves? That’s the million-dollar question.
When the rich young man came seeking Jesus, he wanted to know what was left for him to do to have eternal life and a place in God’s kingdom. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments. The young man audaciously responds, “I already do.”
But the end of this story is not a high five and an invitation to relax. The young man may think he’s living a kingdom life, but there is more for him to do. Holding onto resources while others go without does not square with loving your neighbor as yourself.
I wonder what Jesus would say to us today?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, show us what it looks like to leave our lives behind and join your kingdom in spirit and in truth. Amen.
The Last Will Be First
Friday, October 16
Matthew 19:23-30
The disciples were feeling exasperated. In a world that elevated strength, Jesus wouldn’t stop talking about “the little ones.” It’s a child who is greatest, and they should become like children. Now, Jesus has all but sent away a rich man, saying it’s nearly impossible for the wealthy to enter the kingdom.
Things are as upside-down as Alice’s Wonderland if the most marginal and overlooked in society are suddenly the precious, valued ones. To clear up any lingering doubt, Jesus puts a fine point on it: “Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first” (v. 30, NRSV).
Like the disciples, we may set out to follow Jesus, but our commitment to this kind of kingdom atrophies. We lose focus and start vying for status. Take a moment to consider who in your community is overlooked and vulnerable. That’s where you’ll find the one God is ushering to the front. How might you join in?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we surrender to you. We need your help. Please teach us your ways. Amen.
Treasure In The Trash
Saturday, October 17
Philippians 3:4b-14
When my college roommate and I set up our apartment, we went to all the discount stores looking for living room furniture Our standards were low, but the pickings were slim. We came home exhausted and empty-handed. To our surprise, the very tables we were looking for were sitting beside the apartment dumpster, waiting to be hauled away. Our neighbor viewed them as garbage, but we viewed them as treasure—and blessing.
This is what God’s kingdom is like. Jesus shows us over and over that what the world throws away is precious to him and that what is viewed as garbage is treasure in God’s society. So when Paul met Jesus, he ripped up his entire resume. Paul was a social climber, a religious influencer. But once he had met Christ? All the rest was garbage. The prize he was seeking looked like trash to the world, complete with suffering and trouble! But to Paul, it was worth everything.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach us to value what you value and to let go of what we have clung to. Amen.
