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October 30, 2023

Pressing Forward

Kimberly C. Orr   |   Read Psalm 107:1-7

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Lectionary Week
October 30–November 5, 2023
Scripture Overview

An overarching theme of the All Saints Day lectionary texts is “Keep pressing forward, despite observable challenges, because God is still at work among us.” Joshua seeks to bolster the sojourner’s faith by linking the present moment with the rescuing actions of God in the past. The psalm is a song of corporate thanksgiving, a deep inhalation and a collective sigh of relief from the those who were drowning in the dark waters of exile. In Thessalonians we read an apostolic plea to allow the word of God to continue its revelatory, good-news work among believers. And in Matthew we hear the charged opening of Jesus’ final discourse, as he sharply warns against religious arrogance and hypocrisy that can hinder God’s work of kingdom justice.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Joshua 3:7-17. When have you had to trust leaders for the good of your community?Read Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37. Recall difficult times in your faith journey. How did you experience God’s steadfast love through these times? Read 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13. What daily practices give you insight into God’s word? How do you encourage others in their life of faith?Read Matthew 23:1-12. Do your leaders live what they preach? If you are a leader, how do you strive to live the gospel?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 107:1-7

1 “Give thanks to the LORD because he is good, because his faithful love lasts forever!” 2 That’s what those who are redeemed by the LORD say, the ones God redeemed from the power of their enemies, 3 the ones God gathered from various countries, from east and west, north and south. 4 Some of the redeemed had wandered into the desert, into the wasteland. They couldn’t find their way to a city or town. 5 They were hungry and thirsty; their lives were slipping away. 6 So they cried out to the LORD in their distress, and God delivered them from their desperate circumstances. 7 God led them straight to human habitation.

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

Psalm 107 opens with a Hebrew imperative, ho¯du¯! (“Hey, everyone, let’s give thanks!”) Why? Because YHWH is good and faithful. How can I be sure that God is good? The fact that the congregation is standing there after the Exodus and the Exile shows that God faithfully led them out...

Lord, you are good and your covenant love endures forever. Set our feet firmly on the path that leads to life. Increase our awareness of your abiding presence even when things may not go according to our plans or meet our expectations. Amen.


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