Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
Pray and obey
Monday March 23, 2015
Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
John 8:6-8
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him what he thought they should do, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
Jesus spent many mornings praying, often before dawn. I imagine he spoke very little. He was quiet before Abba Father. Listening.
Every moment of quiet mind is an investment in the future when that quiet will be more difficult and more necessary.
Jesus’ early morning prayer did not assure certainty any more than ours does. Certainty inevitably becomes an idol when it is tied to required outcomes. Hope is not attached to specific “hopes” but is instead a value which is trusting, faithful, patient, accepting and open.
Steve and Cindy Rethmeier, well-known worship leaders and teachers from southern California, led a worship conference for us this weekend at Life Community Church in Mahomet. Steve talked about how studying Scripture leads us back to “intelligent trust.”
“I want to learn, and be led by my learning into a desire to obey.” This obedience looks different to us than it did to Abraham. God led Abraham away from the prevailing cultural norm of child sacrifice to a new kind of communication with God. Isaac was rescued, and a sheep replaced him on the altar.
We have moved beyond child sacrifice. But the same principles apply to what God is teaching us. “I will make provision if you change your ways. However, sometimes it is not comfortable, and my provision comes just in the nick of time.”
What was Jesus writing on the ground with his finger? We don’t know. We do know that Jesus was being obedient with every fiber of his being. At that moment and at every other.
You are my shepherd, Lord, and I walk in green pastures with you. You lead me beside still waters, and you restore my soul.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1368
