Devotion • September 5
Today's Scripture
Acts 13:13–25
Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem; but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading of the law and the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it.” So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:
“You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance for about four hundred fifty years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.’ Of this man’s posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his work, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet.” (NRSV)
Reflection
What can we learn about the nature of God and our relationship to God by what Paul chooses to say in response to the request for a “message of encouragement?”
Paul is inclusive in his message. God has a plan, and people are a part of it.
In relationship with God, God does respond to our requests for help. We can have faith that our requests will be heard and responded to but not necessarily how we imagine it to be.
God delights in relationship with creation and with us as humans.
Jesus understood these things and shows us the way to be in right relationship with God, others, and creation.
By following the path of Jesus, we also become ambassadors for this way of loving and being in the world.
Prayer
Dear God, we thank you for your plan for our lives. Give us confidence that you accept us, love us, and will guide and protect us along our life’s journey. Help us to find time and ways to engage with you so we too can be experienced by you as a person after your own heart. What a gift! Amen.
Written by Thomas Schemper, Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being
Reflection and Prayer© Fourth Presbyterian Church
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