Here we are at the end of July. Summer is more than half over. Where I live, school will be starting in a week. The lessons today are a varied group. We hear about Solomon’s dream and God’s promise of wisdom and wealth. The Epistle affirms that we are chosen, loved, and protected by God. In the Gospel, Jesus gives four more parables about the Kingdom of God. He compares it to mustard seed and yeast, both growing and increasing. He also says it is like treasure in a field and a net full of fish which are sorted. The Psalm is full of blessings for those who obey God’s decrees.
Each of these lessons is about how God blesses our lives
when we long for your commandments. Solomon (I Kings 3:5-12) asks Give
your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to
discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?
God multiplies blessings to Solomon, because you have asked this, and have
not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies,
but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do
according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one
like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. The
Psalm affirms that when [God’s] word goes forth it gives light; it gives
understanding to the simple.
It can be tempting to plan things to conform with our own
way of how we want them to be. Sometimes that doesn’t work out well. The words
of the Epistle (Romans 8:26-39) remind us of how God cares for us even when we
are in distress. We are consoled to hear that very Spirit intercedes with
sighs too deep for words…the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the
will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love
God, who are called according to his purpose…we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us…[nothing] in all creation, will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The truth that God knows our
deepest sorrows and will keep us safe, even in the midst of grief or danger can
be a deep comfort. The Psalmist, centuries earlier notes that God will rescue
from those who oppress me.
The four parables in the Gospel are about the bounty of God’s
kingdom. The tiny things—seed and yeast become trees and bread that are
beneficial. The treasure in the field and the massive catch of fish also point
to the richness of God’s blessing on our lives. Like the person who sells
everything to get the field, the Psalmist cries, my desire for Your commands
left me waiting, open-mouthed and panting.
Even though we are more than conquerors through Christ,
as we follow the commandments of God we are, like Solomon, even more blessed. We
are the good [fish put] into baskets, those whom he justified he also
glorified.
Pause this week and look for blessings in the small things.
What blessing was most surprising?
Psalm
119:129-136 129 Your decrees
are wonderful; therefore I obey them with all my heart. (Book of Common Prayer) |
Your decrees inspire
wonder; because of that, my soul desires to keep them. (The Voice Version) |