The hand of God reaching to touch Adam’s hand by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel “God the Father 11” by Waiting For The Word
Meditation
Wednesday, Trinity Week, brought the challenge of Job by God’s questions in the Old Testament lesson to a close. Job responded essentially with a simple, “I’ll keep my mouth shut, in future.” He’d spoken once, even twice, but no more. He realized how ‘vile’ or ‘unworthy’ he was to challenge God.
It reminded me of a time, when I had been taking tennis lessons for several months and after beating a few of the other students handily, I thought I was so good. At a singles gathering, I was teamed up with a B-level player, who had actually played with some of the A-level pros. I didn’t even know what he meant by those terms. But after a few serves from the other team, he gained the ball and handed it to me, whispering directions.
“Now, I want you to lob your serve into the middle of the court. Run to the middle of our court. Pull your racket and hold it steady across your chest, because she will blast back at you because she will think you are the weaker player. She won’t expect you to be able to return it. The ball will go down the middle between them and they will both react slower because you surprised them, and they will both miss the return shot.”
I remembered to close my mouth, which had dropped open, did exactly as he said. It happened exactly as he said. We won the game because he played it like a chess game—calling every play and action of the lesser players. They had no idea he was directing the game so thoroughly. I lost my cockiness, because I saw what a skilled player can do with the game.
In the presence of true greatness, we are humbled. Christians have become too ‘chatty Cathy’ with God. Because we have access to God, through Jesus Christ’s supreme sacrifice and because the Holy Spirit has been given to us as the New Testament lesson in John foretells, we think that praying ‘Abba Father’ or ‘Daddy’ as Jesus instructed was in reality a candy machine. We pray (put our money in) and push the button (pray in Jesus name) and out comes the candy bar (what we want) every time.
It disrespects God.
The great Creator, the source of all life and the provider of every good and perfect gift, was not our candy machine to be at our beck and call like a servant, but more like a wise parent, who wants good things for us, but knows when to withhold certain things that would not be as good for us…or don’t serve the ultimate purpose of our presence here on earth.
Jesus told the disciples that he had instructed them about the important things, but that the Holy Spirit would be available to help them remember what was right—a sort of cheat sheet for the big exam of life. If we keep our mouths closed like Job decided to do and listen more, we’ll become better at doing the will of God. My husband often said, “God gave us two ears and one mouth, so I suspect we’re supposed to listen twice as much as we talk.” I believe Job identified with that thought and began to glimpse the magnitude of God.
If we talk less and listen to what God says to us, we might discover that the Holy Spirit will nudge us to do God’s will and it will be easier to make it happen.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Click on the Scriptures for links to biblegateway.com, where many translations of the same text enhance the understanding the readings, which come from the (RCL) Revised Common Lectionary – Daily Lectionary
Readings. I add a Daily Prayer to bless you with God’s Favor.
Enjoy the Daily Encouragement and Bible Study and may you be inspired to be your best self for this Season of Trinity .
Season of Trinity
Give to God Immortal Praise – Clyde McLennan
There Was a Man Named Job
“There was a man in the land of Uz” by André; CCL flickr
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Season of Trinity
Come Thou Almighty King – David Shelley Ensemble
Job before God
“And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?”” by André; CCL flickr
Season of Trinity Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2029;Job%2039:26%E2%80%9440:5;John%2014:25-26&version=KJV;ERV;NCV;NIV;GNT
(multiple versions)
Wednesday, Trinity Week
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 8:3-5 NIV
3When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
5You have made them
a little lower than the angels
and crowned them
with glory and honor.
Human beings that you care for them?
Season of Trinity Music
Father We Pray Thee Now the Night is Over – Sandra Anderson, Lincoln Briney, Mary Beth Cecil, Greg Clark, Brett Gilbert, Tracy Laas and Roger Treece
Father, Son and Holy Ghost
“Father, Son & Holy Ghost” by elston; CCL flickr
Single Bible Study chapter to study
King James Version (KJV)
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
“Rex et Legifer noster” by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P.; CCL flickr
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
“The Descent of the Holy Spirit” by Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P.; CCL flickr
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Dear God, forgive that we don’t listen as often as we ought. Help us to hear the reminders that the Holy Spirit wants us to know, so we can serve you better in this life and praise you all the more, even as Job recognized that he barely knew your greatness. We give you all the glory and honor. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit—the Triune God, Amen
Season of Trinity Music
Our Father – Don Moen
Season of Trinity Humor
Job Recognizes His Place
©Jeff Larson, Used by permission
Ancient of Days – Ron Kenoly
I hope you found a chance to encounter your Creator and experience the Love of God and the joy of Christ in this Season of Trinity.
Conclusion
Wednesday, Trinity Week set humans on track to understand God. Job glimpsed the gigantic overwhelming nature of the Creator and decided to listen instead of talk. The Psalmist praised God for the strength and peace that we receive when the Voice of the Lord thundered across the waters. Jesus spoke simply of how much he had taught, but that even though he would be going, the Holy Spirit would be there to remind believers of what his teachings were.
We have a cheat-sheet, Holy Spirit, who helps us remember the appropriate lessons at the appropriate time.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. Please like if it was meaningful. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Please like if you are blessed and don’t hesitate to comment or contact me. I love hearing from you.
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