Kingdom Manna

Tasks

Luke 14:27, “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

On the map it was a faint, unmarked line that appeared to end abruptly—nowhere. The road itself seemed just as narrow, a little more than a path. I couldn’t even think of the possibility of meeting an oncoming car. A thick forest and moonless night contributed more darkness to our route and only a narrow rock edge on the right separated us from a deep chasm.

Why this treacherous road in unfamiliar terrain on a dark, cold night? “Are you sure you still want to do this?” I asked my then middle school aged son, privately wondering what example towards obedience I’d be setting to encourage a no reply. “I promised,” he answered, “I can’t not show up. My group chose me to represent them.”

Of course his experience was wonderful. Not simple, not grandiose. Instead a realistic opportunity to learn survival skills, adaptation to environment, experience some hunger. But the end resulted in a sense of accomplishment—a feast—an assignment completed. In obedience.

Whenever my steps falter Lord, and I question turning back to look for another route, an easier path; please remind me that this is the way You traveled and You are awaiting my arrival. That if I am to reach You—this is the road. And You are protecting me on all sides. Keep me going forward.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Kingdom Manna

Tasks

Mark 15:43, “Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”

It takes courage to wait in the face of an enemy. To approach anger or retribution or death just for asking. Instead of hiding and instead to plant oneself as visible and vulnerable.

It takes courage to wait in the dust of defeat. To maintain poise walking forward in public amid derision and ridicule of a collapsed mission.

It takes courage to wait in the cries of grief. To hold to hope or love or reconciliation when love is torn and bruised and buried. When death’s cold curtain removes all warmth from our hearts.

“Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.”

Boldness bought by love and sacrifice. Boldness born of divine courage. Boldness by a torn curtain. By invitation.

Boldness beyond the quaking limbs crossing the enemy’s chasm. Found kneeling, before the altar. With trembling lips and Your call of promise, “Ask.”

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 31:24

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you that wait for the Lord.

Kingdom Manna

Tasks

Luke 10:36, “Which of these three do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

Emergency vehicle lights flashed at the end of my driveway when I prepared to leave for a meeting. An ambulance stood open next door at my neighbor’s. There had been an ongoing serious situation for a few months so the medical assistance was not a shock but not welcome either. I was blocked in, and I looked at my watch.

“So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.”

Embarrassed I walked slowly back to the house. Trying to assuage my conscience with my lack of any remedy to offer, obvious personal support evidenced by several cars, facts that other neighbors were more in relationship. All true. All appropriate for the immediate moment. All irrelevant to my immediate response.

“…Show kindness and mercy to one another.”

Enlarge my capacity to extend compassion at all times Lord, not just when convenient to me both in time and attitude. Slow me down enough to connect with others where they are emotionally and not where I think they should be. Like You, give me a caring heart, not a critical evaluation.

“So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 145:9

The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.

Kingdom Manna

Tasks

Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”

Several ancient cities built to impress. They built tall, built wide, built elaborate, built high on hills. As a symbol of success and influence. As a sign of power. A visual emblem. Had electricity been available then, their cities would have been ablaze. No hesitation, no reluctance to advertise themselves.

Dawn’s light breaks night’s darkness. A lighthouse beacon signals danger. Candlelight welcomes delayed arrivals. All kinds of light from soft, muted, bright, glaring, and fiery give purpose and vision.

Scrolls lost, buried, forgotten and neglected removed the words of the Torah from Israel. They became a captive people to their enemies and to their ignorance. Retrieval of God’s word repeatedly through their history brought restoration.

Designated witnesses are meant to share—to speak—to shine with their declarations. We are given the words to pass along. To our families—to our friends. To the foreigner in our midst.

Send us Lord, to Your source of true light, to Jesus. Set us so deeply in His holiness that as Your church we burn brightly building Your city that all may see it.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 43:3

O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.

Kingdom Manna

Tasks

Matthew 7:26, “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand.”

At first they remembered to move above the water line—that uneven pattern that separated the white section from damp hard-pressed sand. The wide section indented with tracks—birds—dogs—people—tires.

Walking back and forth with dripping buckets, they slowly built their castle. Complete with moats and ramparts, towers and archways. A masterpiece of creativity and co-operation.

Attentive now fully to details they didn’t see the encroaching water. Little lips of foam nipping at the walls. So absorbed they didn’t hear the roar of waves drawing nearer.

Wails. “Not yet-we’re not finished!” Frantic efforts to hold back the rushing water. Stop the tide. Earlier a joy—now a menace. Washing away all their efforts.

Absorbed in my own labors I also forget Your counsel Lord. That I need to look to Your ways first. Follow Your design. Only then can I be sure of success—of work that will last. Otherwise I too will sit and weep.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 28:5

Because they do not regard the works of the Lord,

Nor the deeds of his hands,

He will tear them down and not build them up.

Kingdom Manna

Tasks

Matthew 7:24, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.”

Wisdom listens. Wisdom discerns. Wisdom waits.

Listening for the words that communicate truth. Absorbing the knowledge and information necessary to process, to produce a finished piece: a house, a song, a meal, a story.

Discerning when and where and how. When will action bring best results? Where is there need for care and compassion? How to penetrate grief with hope—loneliness with faith—pain with love.

Waiting in the silence of God’s sanctuary for direction. For the right words at the right time. Waiting for the power that prevails, sustains and heals.

Waiting in prayer seems so passive sometimes, Lord. So inadequate to the surrounding bedlam. But without Your touch and Your wisdom, any building is missing its foundation.

Discerning between choices and decisions often feels like groping through fog for my doorway. Yet when I find it the entrance is clear. May my hand be led by Yours’.

Listening to the avalanche of data muddles my thoughts and scatters my focus. But in prayer You remove the clutter and center me in Your heart.

Wisdom listens. Wisdom discerns. Wisdom waits.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 53:2

God looks down from heaven on humankind

to see if there are any who are wise,

who seek after God.

Kingdom Manna

Tasks

1 Corinthians 15:50, “What I am saying brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”

Land is prized in many cultures. It is regarded as heritage, whether public as to a tribe, or inheritance, as personal to a family. Wars may decimate it and nature may savage it but it remains a concrete signpost. A place of ownership. A place of legacy.

God offers His inheritance to His children. A kingdom. A land of promise. A place of peace. His legacy. Bought with a price. Paid with His blood.

Love passed down from heaven to each believer. Love and kindness and mercy and salvation. Imperishables. Not easy to see and measure but real. An inheritance that lasts beyond cobwebs and rust and decay.

Gracious Lord, remind me to seek Your ways. To work for Your legacy. To pursue a heritage that will not fade away. That can be shared throughout Your created world. An inheritance unmarred by injustice or inequality. A land for all who choose Your heritage.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 37:34

Wait for the Lord, and keep to his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land;

you will look on the destruction of the wicked.