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Reading: Acts
2:43-45
“Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being
done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in
common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds
to all, as they had need.”
A fresh outpouring of Spirit that bound those present into a new
beginning—a new perception of grace—a new style of community.
Generous not from plenty but from trust and love. In awe of grace.
So hard for us to fully understand. So difficult to be so
spontaneously trusting—even when we believe. The questions arise yearly,
weekly, daily—how much time can we share—how many resources—what if this
happens or that—will we be able to keep our commitments to our families or to
others. What will happen if we fail? Without realizing it we forget to trust in
the Spirit’s guidance and generosity.
Especially in seasons of personal poverty, whether of body or soul or
resources.
How much have worldly views crept into our worship lives and colored
our expectations and commitments? Are we still in awe of what the Lord has done
and is doing in our own worship communities? Do we seek His guidance in trust
and wonder at possibilities? Through whose lens do we watch in expectation of
nurture?
Lord, please forgive our fears that keep us not only from trusting in
Your ongoing provision, but also hesitant to give to others by setting our boundaries
instead of seeking the guidance of Your Holy Spirit. Release us from narrow
perceptions.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 27:4
“One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”
Reflection
Questions
1.
Have you ever had to wait a very long time for a
fulfilled promise because another person stood in the way?
2.
How did you continue to stay committed?
3.
Did you come closer to the Lord, or further away,
or a mix of both? What caused each reaction?
4.
What advice would you give to someone today in
those circumstances?
Share: What
unexpected form of provision has the Lord given you recently?
Hebrews 11: 40, “since God had provided something better so
that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.”
Wait.
It’s not something many of us manage to do well. And in our
current instant society, it seems to be counterproductive. We each have a
personal internal clock that keeps us patient for just so long—and then, we
become fidgety, annoyed, irritated, and sometimes hostile. Within our own
families, with our closest friends, with those we most care about.
We can’t quite understand that this long list of saints of
Hebrews Chapter 11 not only stood firm in their faith, lived and died by it,
but also were willing to endure tremendous hardships without actually receiving
the promise in hand.
Instead we assume we are missing out on something good if we
have to wait too long. That we are being denied something better. And it’s quite
possible that is true. Because our limited sense of better now is so much less
than God’s gift of best then.
When we reach out and grab for instant gratification, we
might lose the blessing altogether. Like Esau did in his immediate physical hunger.
Or delay the promise, like Abraham and Sarah did by trying to help God fix
things our way to speed the results. To engineer a man made solution.
In fact, God’s purposes are so much deeper, and richer, and
eternal that we cannot comprehend them, unless we are willing to listen and
hope and trust. His provision is for perfection. His love encompasses all His
people, not just a select few. We need to trust enough.
To wait.
Lord, please give us eyes to seek Your wholeness, a vision
that desires grace and salvation for all, and purify our motives to be willing
to wait for Your promises to be fulfilled in Your time, and not ours.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 19:7-8
“The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul:
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
Reflection Questions
1. Are you at peace in God’s provision
sustaining morning and night or are you anxiously watching?
2. What would make the difference within
you, even if the outer circumstances don’t appear to change?
3. Have you asked friends to support you in
prayer?
4. How can we tell the difference between
being passive and waiting?
Share: What provision has the Lord supplied for you today?
Genesis 16:13, “In the evening quails came up and covered
the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.”
Provision from Your hand in Your time under circumstances
not even anticipated. Evening and morning—the day surrounded—wholly surrounded—no
one exempt. From the newborn to the eldest, healthy to infirm, strongest to
weakest, all under Your care and concern.
Lord, please enable each of us to recognize your ongoing,
daily provision and walk in it. You have surrounded us with loving, caring,
praying friends whatever our present need. Please show us the path, advice we
need to follow at the right time. The world tells us we all have ‘rights’ Lord,
but it is more important that we become obedient to your plans and your ways.
Please show us the difference between being passive and waiting until the time
comes for us to act upon your counsel.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 55:22
“Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”
Found
Acts 13: 39, “by this Jesus everyone who believes is set free from all those sins from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” Mosaic Law. A standard separate from neighboring countries. It included civil and judicial and social laws like the others, but went beyond to contain moral and religious criteria. Equal mandate. Freedom to restore relationships between God and each other. Freedom to receive compensation. Freedom to retrieve dignity when slandered. Freedom to be righteous. Equal status. Magnanimous provision. Minuscule details. Laws to cover every possible sin. Pre-conceived. Unintentional. Accidental. Potential. The applications went on and on and were still insufficient. Equal failure. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Equal cure. Messiah. To set mankind truly free from outward and inward sin. Recognized and unknown. Public and private. To the Jews, the Gentiles, the rich, the poor, the slave, the free. The men, the women, the children, the outcast, He removes the weight. Equal freedom.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 81:6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket.”
Bread
Fed, nourished sustained, strengthened grew from young to old with bread from God’s storehouse.
Forty years of manna ended, one omer left as a reminder of daily provision from God’s hands.
Father’s Son comes brings new bread living nourishment, end to hunger, thirst forever offered.
His body broken given to sustain life daily in His presence.
Exodus 25: 30, “And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times.”
Covering
From the beginning, when sin first emerged, He prepared the price.
Knowing He alone could enter heaven’s holiest sanctuary.
Became threefold covering High Priest, Ruler, Sacrifice.
Created entrance to atonement readied moment we see our sin, recognize consequence death, despair.
Nail scarred hands hold us. Whispers, choose life, come.
Hebrews 9:12, …“He entered once for all into the Holy Place,” …
Scripture: Exodus 16:4, Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.” Israel was to gather the food God provided each day, enough only for the day’s needs. No more, no less. Not to indulge, and not to hoard. But it was food, there was plenty, it covered the ground. So some took extra, perhaps for a snack later, just in case the evening meal didn’t arrive. And it became wormy and foul. Growing up in snow climate we sometimes learned the hard way it was wise to keep a supply of canned gods and candles on hand for when storms came. A hard-hitting blizzard could leave a blanket of fresh snow, cold air, and often no electricity, no heat, no water. When without proper resources, we went hungry. Israel did have food, morning and evening, provided by God. God asked Israel to trust Him, to obey Him, to follow Him. Lord, I too place my security in visible things. It’s a comfort to know whatever I need is there, whenever I want to use it. And it’s also so easy to start worrying about what will happen when things run out, so I gather more. Instead, help me to place all my trust in You, knowing You will provide all my needs, when the time is right. Let me not be like the man in Jesus’ parable who wastes his time “laying up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Psalm of Worship: Psalm 78:24-25 And He rained down manna upon them to eat, And gave them food from heaven. Man did eat the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance.
Scripture: Exodus 12:39, For it had not become leavened, since they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay, nor had they prepared any provision for themselves. Laden with parcels and packages while shopping, we reach a point where we stop. We are filled up. Errands, chores, activities, pleasures, obligations load our hours, days, weeks. We are pressed for seconds. What a contrast to Israel. Called by God to move in haste, they left with no provisions. Except one. His promise to lead and provide. They walked a wilderness in faith, looking to God alone. Lord I know that I often rely on tangible foundations. Qualifications, quantities, quotas establish a safe environment for me to serve You. Like a soft blanket for a child I can clutch them in my mind and carry them into new situations. Wrapped up in self-made plans leaves no room for You, though. I need to be empty in order to be filled. I need to be un-encumbered in order to travel light. I need to be enabled to pray “Thy will be done.” Teach me Lord to walk with empty arms and eyes of faith. Psalm of Worship: Psalm 81:10 “I, the Lord, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.
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