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Leigh Hitchcock | Read Psalm 71:1-4
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Sign Up TodayRaw emotion and striking honesty with God fill many of the psalms, and Psalm 71 is no different. Save me! Deliver me! Today’s passage is a desperate cry for help. The psalmist isn’t afraid to bare his soul and be completely open with God about his need for deliverance. For...
Heavenly Father, help me come to you with the childlike faith that you will help when I ask. Amen.
The readings from the Hebrew scriptures share a common theme of calling. Jeremiah is called at a young age to be a prophet. God knew and set apart Jeremiah even in the womb. The psalmist also expresses confidence in God’s call, because God knew him even before he was born. In the same way, God knows each one of us and has a plan for our lives that is not an afterthought. In this First Corinthians passage (often read at weddings), Paul speaks of love. But this love is not infatuation and is not based on emotion. It is intentional, strong, gritty, and unselfish. In Luke we see that many struggle with the fact that Jesus’ calling is also to serve the marginalized. Jesus reveals that God has a missional heart.
Read Jeremiah 1:4-10. What is God calling you to do? What excuses are you making to ignore your vocation?
Read Psalm 71:1-6. God promises not to make our lives easy or perfectly safe but to be with us when we face challenges and violence. In a world that seems increasingly violent, how do you find assurance of God’s continuous presence?
Read 1 Corinthians 13. God calls us to a vocation of love. How can you be more loving in your daily work or activities?
Read Luke 4:21-30. How do you see God’s call in those you know best? Do you accept or reject the call God has placed on their lives?
Respond by posting a prayer.
“For the past two years, I have used Journey to the Table to cultivate community with young adults in Nashville. The rhythm of Journey to the Table with preparation, prayer, listening, silence, and discussion created space for young adults to reflect, grow in their faith, and build relationships. The topics are extremely relevant for emerging adulthood, and the activities and schedule are adaptable for different contexts. We invited the participants to continue the relationships built at Journey to the Table through year-round life groups and affinity groups. I’m looking forward to next year’s Journey to the Table – it truly sets a table for building relationships and growing in our faith.” Learn more about Journey to the Table.
