The Daily Guide. grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Wednesday, 22 June 2016 - "A Lord on whom you can depend"
Daily Scripture: Lamentations 3:19-24Lamentations 3:19 Remember my utter misery,
the wormwood and the gall.
20 They are always on my mind;
this is why I am so depressed.
21 But in my mind I keep returning to something,
something that gives me hope —
22 that the grace of Adonai is not exhausted,
that his compassion has not ended.
23 [On the contrary,] they are new every morning!
How great your faithfulness!
24 “Adonai is all I have,” I say;
“therefore I will put my hope in him.
-------Reflection Questions:
“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.”[Gilda Radner (Comedienne)]
Some days are bright, sunny, filled with joy, hope and love. But other days are dark, sad, scary, filled with fear or anger or tears. Dog lovers know that their canine pals usually seem to know when the dark days come, and if anything to draw closer at those times. In that, they reflect the truth the writer of Lamentations had learned in the rubble of Jerusalem: “the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended.”
- The Babylonian army had flattened Jerusalem—burning the city, and gutting Solomon’s beautiful temple. Amid the terrible scenes of the conquered city, Lamentations’ writer still found God’s compassion. When do you find it hardest to sense Jesus with you? How can the promise that God’s mercies are new every morning bring you strength and courage, even in those darkest of days?
- Most of us can relate to experiences that feel like “bitterness and poison.” But too often, although we might accept the faithful friendship of a dog as worth having even in those times, we think God is only worthwhile if the circumstances change. To what extent have you learned, even in dire circumstances, to lean on and rely on “the faithful love of the Lord”?
Lord Jesus, here I am, and you know what I’m carrying on my heart and in my consciousness today. And here you are, always, loving me and giving me strength for whatever I face. Thank you. Amen.
-------Insights from Katherine Halterman
Katherine Halterman will be a sophomore at the University of Denver, majoring in international studies. She is serving as the Global Impact Ministries intern this summer. She has two dogs and volunteers at Wayside Waifs, so she is pretty excited about the current sermon series!I think the first thing that sticks out to me in today’s reading is, “They (His compassions) are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” It’s so comforting. God’s love is so unfaltering that no matter what we do, if we truly repent, we can always snap back to the Lord. He’s always there for us; always wholeheartedly devoted. No matter “my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall,” God is always loving me and wanting my attention.
I see what Pastor Adam meant when he said it felt odd to compare God to a dog, but I really am reminded of my dog! Anyone who owns a dog has done this–accidentally stepped on a paw or a tail. It’s instant remorse and panic after that innocent yelp, rushing to your sweet dog’s aid and whimpering how sorry you are. However, your dog has probably already forgiven you before you can even say that first “I’M SO SORRY!” By the next morning your furry friend is back to giving you puppy kisses until you wake up (earlier than planned, of course), and give them attention.
I think God is like that, too (not that He gives us puppy kisses). But before we even apologize God is already right back to loving us; in fact He never stopped. He’s enthusiastic to offer us His compassions, in the same way a dog always wants to love you and is quick to forgive.
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
---------------------
---------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment