Prayer: Abba, guard me and guide me in your ways. Let me never take for granted the significance of my salvation. Help me to remember what it would be like if I didn’t know you. Help me to teach others of your enduring love. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 34: 9-14 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Most of us know that the vocabulary of the Old Testament is a little different from today’s dictionary definitions. The word “fear” here probably denotes more a deeply respectful awe of the Lord and His capacity to care and love us beyond human comprehension. As His disciples, we know that He is there for us. We can’t earn it; we don’t deserve it; yet He meets our every need. In fact, we need fear nothing, not even death. Yet, consider how fear can add to our understanding of the profound grace of God in our common call to serve God and His creation? Because we know God, we can trust in salvation. But what if we didn’t have His Word? Because God so loved the world, He allowed His only son to die for our sins. What if that Good News was unknown? The Holy Spirit informs our faith, leads us from temptation, guides our discipleship. To contemplate life without that abounding love and forgiveness – grace – is a scary thought indeed! So, understanding the fear of not knowing God can help us as disciples to reach others with compassion. When we leave worship, we promise to “Go in peace” and “Serve the Lord.” Proclaiming our faith with clarity and strength is one way to love our neighbors as ourselves, with empathy and in relationship with God and each other. --Heather LeBlanc
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Authors
Anyone is welcome to contribute! If you'd like to write for us, please e-mail [email protected] Email
Get our daily devotions delivered to your e-mail box each day by signing up below:
Archives
May 2022
Subscribe |