Devotion November 13
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Delight
The Word:
“Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God…to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.”
— 1 Timothy 6:17-19, The Message
Reflection: When I read the title today the scripture that popped into my head was Psalm 37:4 “Delight thyself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” (KJV). As a youth this was often quoted to me at the beginning of Bible study in the church I attended. I loved the poetry. So what connects Psalm 37:4 and I Timothy 6:17-19 (The Message)? In my search for one I found this: there is more than one word in Hebrew which translates into English as delight. All of the words basically have the same meaning: taking pleasure from; or finding gratification in; or be inclined toward favorably. In reviewing this information was a reference to Romans 7: 22 “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.”(NIV) Reflection led me to this conclusion: Paul’s personal faith statement to the Roman church, of finding satisfaction and pleasure in God’s law, that is being delighted in the LORD is what guided him into following Jesus’ Way. It is why he then instructed Timothy to tell those in the church at Ephesus that instead of being concerned about their money they should be more concerned about delighting the LORD GOD. Whether the economy is good or bad; whether you are wealthy or just barely getting your bills paid; whether you have immense talent or none of which you are aware, the chief responsibility of each and every follower of Jesus is to delight in his Word and his Way. How do you delight in the LORD? How is Jesus’ extravagant generosity reflected by you in your life? What are the true desires of your heart?
I am so very grateful for having been given this opportunity to grow together in understanding of GOD’S amazing love and extravagant generosity during these past few weeks. May the love of Christ fill your heart and bring you peace.
Marguerite Priest
Elder, Class of 2012
Pray:
A former Catholic nun, Barbara Munyak, a friend and Bryan’s behavior specialist, shared a prayer she had written about stewardship for her church. With her permission, I did some editing to reflect our Reformed traditions. This is the prayer we used at the Stewardship Leadership Dinner and on Wednesdays at Fellowship Supper. Let us pray once more:
Almighty God,
You have blessed me with life and your love,
With family and friends,
With talents and dreams.
I am blessed with food, money and a place to live.
Each day you give me twenty-four hours of time.
Never let me forget that all of these gifts are yours.
I do not own them but only hold them in your name.
I have them for the service of your people, for growing a faith community
of passionate disciples,
For building purposeful missions in your name,
For nurturing spiritual relationships.
Let me use them freely, generously, joyfully and wisely.
Always trusting in you.
Amen.
Share this post:
