November 9, 2020

Growing in Faith the Hard Way

(Image: Pixabay)

Not Again!

You are slumped on the stairs, head in your hands, going over in your mind what she said, what you said. You feel that hard knot of anger tightening in your stomach. Here we go again, you think. Why do I keep getting myself into the same messes over and over? You feel the hurt and frustration wash over you as you pray, “Jesus, do something! I can’t stand this anymore.”

God has a way of giving us opportunities to learn something until we get it right. Our actions, attitudes, and life circumstances bring us up against impasses that invite us to face our failure and sin and to find the courage to grow beyond our limitations and the faith to trust God more totally in our lives.

At such moments, backed up against the wall with “the same old, same old,” we feel defeated. Israel had many such moments. We read in Judges, “The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” The book of Judges tells the story of Israel’s crooked road to obedience. Over and over the people wander from God and experience oppression. Then they repent and are renewed and delivered, only to wander again away from God.

God is determined that we live in the fullness of redemptive love, no matter how many times we ignore that saving power.

Suggestion for Meditation: What has you sitting with your head in your hands? Where do you see a repetitive pattern in your life that leads to frustration and broken relationships? What lesson might God want you to learn?

Pray the Scriptures Using Audio Lectio
Read Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14-30

¹⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was leaving on a trip. He called his servants and handed his possessions over to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five valuable coins, and to another he gave two, and to another he gave one. He gave to each servant according to that servant’s ability. Then he left on his journey. ¹⁶ “After the man left, the servant who had five valuable coins took them and went to work doing business with them. He gained five more. ¹⁷ In the same way, the one who had two valuable coins gained two more. ¹⁸ But the servant who had received the one valuable coin dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. ¹⁹ “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The one who had received five valuable coins came forward with five additional coins. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained five more.’ ²¹ “His master replied, ‘Excellent! You are a good and faithful servant! You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’ ²² “The second servant also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained two more.’ ²³ “His master replied, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful servant. You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’ ²⁴ “Now the one who had received one valuable coin came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man. You harvest grain where you haven’t sown. You gather crops where you haven’t spread seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid. And I hid my valuable coin in the ground. Here, you have what’s yours.’ ²⁶ “His master replied, ‘You evil and lazy servant! You knew that I harvest grain where I haven’t sown and that I gather crops where I haven’t spread seed? ²⁷ In that case, you should have turned my money over to the bankers so that when I returned, you could give me what belonged to me with interest. ²⁸ Therefore, take from him the valuable coin and give it to the one who has ten coins. ²⁹ Those who have much will receive more, and they will have more than they need. But as for those who don’t have much, even the little bit they have will be taken away from them. ³⁰ Now take the worthless servant and throw him outside into the darkness.’ “People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth.

0 Comments

Lectionary Week

November 9–15, 2020

Scripture Overview

Like us, the Israelites struggle to be consistently faithful to God. God therefore allows a foreign king to rule them until the people come to their senses and cry out for help. The prophet Deborah gives instructions for the battle that will begin the deliverance of the people. The readings from Psalms and Zechariah demonstrate that this pattern of unfaithfulness and restoration has occurred frequently in the history of God’s people. In Thessalonians, Paul echoes what Jesus says in last week’s Gospel reading: We must always be prepared for the return of Christ because we do not know when it will occur. God gives us resources to use for the kingdom, and in Matthew Jesus indicates that God will ask for an account of how well we have used them.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Judges 4:1-7. Who has been a judge—someone who helps you discern—in your life? How can you help others discern the way?
Read Psalm 123. How do you focus on God through conflict and struggle?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. When have you encouraged someone in a time of darkness? When have you been the one in need of encouragement?
Read Matthew 25:14-30. What would change if you considered your dreams and desires as from God? What first step can you take to enact your desires?

Respond by posting a prayer.

I join many of those who will pray for you as you seek to discern what you are called to be at this moment. May God grant you the courage to fulfill that calling. May we all open our eyes and see the misery, open our ears and hear the cries of God’s people, and, like God through the Lord Jesus Christ, be incarnate amongst them.”

View a growing list of resources for the spiritual work of overcoming racism.

—Rev. Sidwell Mokgothu, Limpopo Synod Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and board member for Africa Upper Room Ministries

Growing in Faith the Hard Way

Stirring

Find Related Resources

Growing in Faith the Hard Way

Judges 4:1-7

Matthew 25:14-30

Stirring

Find Related Resources

Log In to Upper Room