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January 11, 2017

Called to Faithful Service

Cynthia B. Astle   |   Read Psalm 40:1-5

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Lectionary Week
January 9–15, 2017
Scripture Overview

The theme of God’s calling all believers to a life of ministry runs through all four of this week’s scripture passages. We discover that God’s call always requires a response! The Isaiah passage, one of the Servant Songs that points to Jesus, reminds us that God is the one who pursues and calls. The psalmist exemplifies the call to give witness when God shows up and is found to be faithful. In the opening of his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul reminds us of his own calling and then goes on to emphasize that all are called by God and set apart for ministry. And in John’s Gospel, we receive an example of testifying to God’s presence in our lives and the important calling of bringing others to Jesus.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Isaiah 49:1-7. How has God taken the initiative to work in your life and call you to faith? What mission has God given you?
• Read Psalm 40:1-11. List the ways that God has been faithful to you in showing up and answering your prayers. How have you given witness to God’s faithfulness?
• Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-9. What gifts has God given you to fulfill your calling to ministry?
• Read John 1:29-42. How might you cultivate the discipline of “mindfulness” in your spiritual life?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 40:1-5

1 I put all my hope in the LORD. He leaned down to me; he listened to my cry for help. 2 He lifted me out of the pit of death, out of the mud and filth, and set my feet on solid rock. He steadied my legs. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise for our God. Many people will learn of this and be amazed; they will trust the LORD. 4 Those who put their trust in the LORD, who pay no attention to the proud or to those who follow lies, are truly happy! 5 You, LORD my God! You’ve done so many things your wonderful deeds and your plans for us no one can compare with you! If I were to proclaim and talk about all of them, they would be too numerous to count!

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

The psalmist waits patiently. Then God acts on the psalmist’s
behalf: God inclines, hears, draws up, and sets feet on rock.
The psalmist’s response is one of joy. Wouldn’t we be joyful at
being chosen by God, being the object of God’s attention? We
like to feign an “aw, shucks”...

Exalted God, make me a channel of your joy to a fearful, worried world. Amen.


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