SCRIPTURE: Hos. 10-12; Ps. 73; Heb. 4
Hosea 10:3 They go around saying,
“Who needs a king?
We couldn’t care less about God,
so why bother with a king?
What difference would he make?”Hebrews 4:14-16 Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
OBSERVATIONS: These passages bookend the SOAP readings for the day and remind us that we are helpless in the face of our own sins, the sins of the world, and sin in general. It is only when we take advantage of the strength that God offers that we are able to stand. “Take the mercy. Accept the help.”
Starting ministry at a new church, I’ve spent a numbert of days thinking of all the things that I know how to do and trying to find applications for those gifts and skills. For the past few days, God has been tapping me on the shoulder and reminding me that He has a plan for this church–and for me. His voice has been pretty gentle to this point. “Would you mind getting back with My program? Thanks.” But I know that the result for me would be the same as the king of Ephraim. And no one wants to be a dead branch floating down the river…
APPLICATION: Seek God’s will for this church. Spent time on my face in prayer, listening for God’s voice. Urge others to the same. Conference with the leaders here and collectively listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER: Awesome God, make your will known to us insofar as you would have it known and we are able to comprehend. Let Your words become our words. Direct our steps toward the kingdom goals that You desire. In Christ’s name I ask it, Amen.
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