Wednesday October 4, 2023

Today is Wednesday, October 4 and we are studying what the Bible says about meekness.

I turn to the Lord my God and ask him to fulfill his plans and purposes for my upcoming day. I relinquish my cares, concerns and requests into his mighty hands and trust him with every detail of my comings and goings.

Pause and Pray

Father God, I worship you in the stillness of the dawning day and seek your abiding presence. Open the ears of my heart to receive the specific message you have for me this morning. Amen.

I praise God for his goodness and rejoice with the ancient words of Psalm 18.

You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. Psalm 18:27-28

Pause and Pray

Timothy was a young pastor leading a thriving church in the city of Ephesus. In the spirit of a good mentor, Paul wrote a personal pastoral letter to Timothy offering help and advice for his ministry. In the confines of this treatise, Paul reflects on his past sin as a violent persecutor of the early Christians and people of The Way. In abject humility he recognizes the mercy that was shown to him by a loving God and the grace of Christ who called him out of a life of darkness and led him to a life of humble service.

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:14-16

I stand alongside Paul and every redeemed sinner from all times and places with the same conviction. The grace of God was poured out on me abundantly. Paul calls himself the worst of sinners, yet perhaps I am the worst of sinners. Thanks be to God that Christ came into the world for this very reason, to save helpless sinners like me. I am grateful for the patience and mercy of God. Because of God’s great love despite my great sin, I have been rescued from death and redeemed to eternal life. Nothing is more humbling than the knowledge of the cross of Christ.

Ask: Has God forgiven my sin, even mine? Have I found salvation in the blood of Jesus Christ?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, thank you for loving me so much you sent your Son Jesus into this world to die for my sins and save a sinner like me. I am eternally grateful for the mercy shown to me, for I am also the worst of sinners. Without your grace I would remain enslaved to sin and destined for death. Thank you for the immense patience shown to me as I found my belief in Christ. I read the words from Timothy again and listen for the message you have for me.

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:14-16

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

In the shadow of this humbling scripture, I don a holy meekness before a mighty, powerful and righteous God. In this posture of surrender, I consider what God wants to reveal to me about the state of my soul. Have I fully yielded my life to him? Am I holding back a portion of myself or a section of my life that I refuse to relinquish? I consider what it means to be the “worst of sinners” like Paul. Jesus Christ came into the world to save the worst of sinners – that includes me. I need a savior. I need Jesus.

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus and shine your light on the sorry recesses of my soul. Reveal the places of sin that cling so closely and cleanse my heart in the promise of your love. Be patient with my shortcomings and merciful with my moments of rebellion. Help me see you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly this day and always. Amen.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

I leave this time of prayer rejoicing in God’s great gift of Jesus. I go to share his love and grace with others.

Amen