Daily Lectionary For September 2, 2010
Psalm 86
Job 16:16-22, 17:1, 13-16
Acts 13:1-12
John 9:1-17
Psalm 86
Kids successfully transported to school, the next thing up was going to be easy - daily devotionals - read the lectionary. Except that there were clothes to move from the washer to the dryer and more to be put in the washer. Cameron has a soccer game this afternoon and as he had one last night some things need to have a quick turnaournd so they will be ready for him this afternoon. Two things for church crossed my mind on the way home - not pressing things, but things that tempted me to "just take care of these couple of details while they were fresh in my mind". And so on. Then this from todays Psalm, "Teach me you way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name."(v.11) There are so many things that are worthwhile to divide my heart before I even come to the less worthwhile things. God, give me an undivided heart.
Acts 13:1-12
The Holy Spirit requests that Paul and Barnabas be set aside for the work to which they are called. The people respond by fasting and praying and then laying hands on them before sending them off. Focusing on the fasting and praying that was done in preparation for their departure. How easy is it to skip that step? The Holy Spirit says go, there is great excitement, you send them off. The people did not do this - they made the intentional space to fast and to pray - intentionally and with specificity - for Paul and Barnabas. Then they sent them. And it is important. In Cyprus they enounter a magician, a "false prophet" named Elymas. In verse 10 Paul takes on Elymas in no uncertain terms. Surely such courage to confront was a part of Paul's makeup, but I can't help but think that the foundation that was laid in the prayer and the fasting were criticial to Paul being able to do what he did.
John 9:1-17
Jesus heals a man blind from birth, restoring his sight and causing a ruckus. The people don't believe it's really the man, then they want to know exactly what happened and decide this is a matter for the Pharisees. The Pharisees are divided in their opinion of what has happened. A man is cured of blindness which he has lived with all his life and the religious leadership is divided as to what to make of it. This is one of those passages that begins with frustration at the religious leaders attitude - frustration that quickly transitions to self-examination. A man is granted sight and many sighted people seem unable to see what has happened. What sights, what works of God am I regularly blind to?
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