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June 21, 2019

Between Fear and Faith

Chelsey D. Hillyer   |   Read Psalm 42:6-11

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Lectionary Week
June 17–23, 2019
Scripture Overview

The fact that we trust in God does not guarantee that life will be easy. Believers suffer discouragement as well. Elijah is a powerful prophet of God who faces profound discouragement. He looks around and sees faithlessness and desolation, as does the psalmist wrestling with his own sense of despair. In both cases the person’s spirit is revived—by divine visitation to Elijah and by the psalmist’s self-talk about the truth of God’s faithfulness. The New Testament readings take us in a different direction. Paul speaks of the freedom we have when we are in Christ, heirs to all of God’s promises. The Gospel writer tells of another kind of freedom, the freedom experienced by a man delivered from demon possession.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read 1 Kings 19:1-15a. Recall a time you ran to a silent place. How did God send you back into the world?
Read Psalm 42. The author asks us to imagine the words of this psalm coming from the mouth of Elijah and the Gerasene man. Consider how these words might be yours as well.
Read Galatians 3:23-29. How does your faith in Christ help you to embrace the freedom that comes from lack of division rather than to flee in fear?
Read Luke 8:26-39. What true story do you have to tell to the world of what Jesus has done for you?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 42:6-11

6 My whole being is depressed. That’s why I remember you from the land of Jordan and Hermon, from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep called to deep at the noise of your waterfalls; all your massive waves surged over me. 8 By day the LORD commands his faithful love; by night his song is with me a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I will say to God, my solid rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I have to walk around, sad, oppressed by enemies?” 10 With my bones crushed, my foes make fun of me, constantly questioning me: “Where’s your God now?” 11 Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed? Why are you so upset inside? Hope in God! Because I will again give him thanks, my saving presence and my God.

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

If you listen closely, you can almost hear the Gerasene man whispering these words. How often has he come to the shoreline and thought about throwing his body into the waters of the deep that beckon him with the promise of an end to his torture and isolation? How often...

God, help me to connect with someone today. Remind me that I am never alone. Amen.


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