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September 29, 2023

Who’s In Charge?

Brian R. Bodt   |   Read Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16

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Lectionary Week
September 25–October 1, 2023
Scripture Overview

For the second time this year, we read the story of the Israelites complaining in the desert about their lack of water, only to see God provide a miraculous spring. The psalmist reminds the people of the many powerful deeds performed by the Lord, including leading them through the sea out of Egypt and providing them water from the rock. Paul emphasizes to the Philippians the need for humility and unity. In quoting the earliest known Christian hymn, Paul encourages them with the example of Christ, who gives up all his rights for the sake of others. In back-to-back encounters with religious leaders, Jesus evades an attempt to trap him in his words and then teaches that true obedience is shown not by our speech but by our actions.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Exodus 17:1-7. When have you tried to “do it all”? How can admitting your limitations help you lead?
Read Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16. Recall times when you have known God’s presence. How might remembering and retelling these stories shape your faith?
Read Philippians 2:1-13. How does your life speak of God’s love for you and for all humanity?
Read Matthew 21:23-32. How have you created your idea of Jesus in your own image? What would change if you found your identity in Jesus rather than creating Jesus’ identity from your own?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16

1 Listen, my people, to my teaching; tilt your ears toward the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth with a proverb. I’ll declare riddles from days long gone 3 ones that we’ve heard and learned about, ones that our ancestors told us. 4 We won’t hide them from their descendants; we’ll tell the next generation all about the praise due the LORD and his strength the wondrous works God has done. 12 But God performed wonders in their ancestors’ presence in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. 13 God split the sea and led them through, making the waters stand up like a wall. 14 God led them with the cloud by day; by the lightning all through the night. 15 God split rocks open in the wilderness, gave them plenty to drink as if from the deep itself! 16 God made streams flow from the rock, made water run like rivers.

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

“What have you done for me lately?” We live in a time— thus ever it was—where the “now” triumphs over the “then.” Certainly life moves forward. Living today and not yesterday is part of the Divine mind (see Isaiah 43:18-19). Yet forgetting or ignoring past challenges, defeats, and victories, will...

O God, I worship you today as Lord of my life. Grant me humility as I remember your past faithfulness and discern your yearning for me. Amen.


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