Devotionals
Reflections:
- In Isaiah, he calls out to us in a street-vendor's voice offering a drink that truly satisfies our spiritual thirst. He warns us against seeking gratification in the wrong places. Instead, salvation is being freely offered through an everlasting covenant with God. When we forsake our wickedness and unrighteous thoughts, God's mercy pours out. We may not understand why because His ways are higher than ours, but He will be there when we call upon Him.
- This week in 1 Corinthians Paul gives us a history lesson. He reminds us that the stories from the Bible are there for us to learn. They are examples before us so that we can avoid making the same mistakes as the Israelites repeatedly made. Anytime our focus turns inwards and we begin focusing on meeting our own selfish needs and desires, we have drifted from God and disaster is waiting. "All you need to remember is that God will never let you down…"
- In Psalm 63, David tells us that he has searched for God with an unquenchable thirst. We all share this desire to know God. In our search, when we discover that He has been with us all along, our hearts burst in praise. We feel this way because, in our discovery, we find that God is not aloof and distant. God is a personal God, eager and available to reach deep into our lives, offering forgiveness, mercy, grace, love, and salvation. As a result we sing: "God, you're my God. I will praise you as long as I live."
- In the Gospel lesson in Luke, Jesus is asked to comment on the loss of good people in two tragic incidences. Had these people done something wrong to deserve this fate? Showing signs of frustration that His message is somehow not getting through, Jesus once again teaches that the focus in our lives must be towards eternity. Tragedy strikes and it strikes without purpose. However, we can be prepared for these events through repentance. In this way, God's mercy will pour out on us, fertilizing our hearts, so that we are able to bear the fruit in the building of His kingdom that we are called to bear.
"Popcorn! Peanuts! Red Hots! Get your Red Hots!"
I am sitting at the ballpark in the hot sweltering heat battling a thirst that will not quit. Nothing I have tried seems to provide the refreshing repast my body needs. All the vendors walking by seem to have nothing to offer but salt or sugar. Where are the drink vendors? Why can't I get a drink of cold water? The score of the game is close. I don't want to miss a single play. But I am thirsty, oh so thirsty.
As I suffer, the game becomes a blur and I can focus only finding a drink of cold water. Isn't anyone else thirsty? The person next to me reaches into a cooler and brings out another drink. How many did he bring? Why didn't I listen to my Mother? She said I should take water along for the game. She says she always takes water to the games. Boy, the sun is hot!
What's that? Water? Did I hear him call out for water? Where is he? There he is. Water! Oh no, not again. Sold out already? Look! Everyone is having a great time. Why are they so happy? Why must I suffer? What did I do to deserve this? Oh God. Send me some water.
That's it. That is all I can handle. I have to get some water. I might miss the winning play but I can't wait any longer. I trudge up the stairs and looked into the faces of the crowd. At first glance they seem happy but as I look closer I see signs of sun and heat stress on every face. Everyone seems to be drinking and there is a steady flow from their seats to the concessions above. Almost half the crowd is gone from their seats seeking shade or drink. I'm not suffering alone. Everyone is thirsty.
The lines to the concessions are long but one-by-one we are served water, soda, or lemonade. I return to my seat to discover that the game has gone into extra innings. A few clouds begin to fill the sky. Lengthening shadows from the stands now cover my seat. Things are good. Had I known to seek the water at its source in the first place I would have saved myself so much agony. I must remember to tell Mom that they have wonderful concessions with all the drinks we ever need. All you need to do is ask.
Closing Prayer:
Everlasting and most merciful God: We pray today that you quench our thirst with your love. We know that we always seem to make things difficult for ourselves. We search and seek and probe and wander. We know that we need you in our lives yet, we have to find you in our own way. We can't look to others and we don't pay attention to the lessons of our past. We simply stumble along, focused on our own needs and desires and think we can fulfill them through our own efforts and guile. When will we learn? When will we be able to recognize that all we need to do is turn to you, repent of our wandering ways, and allow your Spirit into our hearts? When we do, our thirst will be quenched and our ability to bear fruit will spring forth. Gracious Lord, open our hearts and minds to the springs of your amazing mercy and grace. Lead us to your waters and pour forth your blessings so we can become the blessing you are calling us to be. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.
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