DIVINE FORBEARANCE

The 21st Sunday after Pentecost

ISAIAH 53:7 (CEV)
He was painfully abused,
but he did not complain.
He was silent like a lamb
being led to the butcher...

1 PETER 2:23 (CEV)
Although he was abused,
he never tried to get even.
And when he suffered,
he made no threats.
Instead, he had faith in God,
who judges fairly.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Through Christ Jesus, we have the model of divine forbearance.

PRAYER
Thank you, God, for being so patient with us -- even when it is painful. I'm not at all that way. When I'm hurt or offended I lash out and try to put people in their place. I'm never quite sure how to approach these situations with your forbearance. But if you'll help me I'll try to adopt your approach. I'm going to trust in your judgment. Amen.

COMING JUSTICE

ISAIAH 26:8 (ABP)
GOD, we're patiently plodding along the path defined by your justice -- trusting that you will live up to your reputation and show up to set things right.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:10 (CEB)
We all must appear before Christ in court...

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Live now according to God's upcoming justice.

PRAYER
God, I'm grateful for your promise of justice to come. I'm hopeful that you'll look at me with kindness on that day because my life hasn't been perfect. You'll have plenty of reasons to throw the book at me. But I'm trusting that through Christ your mercy will prevail. Amen.

THE GOLDEN RULE

LEVITICUS 19:13 (NLT)
Do not defraud or rob your neighbor.

LUKE 6:31 (CEB)
Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Make it a habit to treat others well.

PRAYER
God, you treat us better than we deserve. Yet, we're always looking for angles to get out of treating other people well. We look down on them as though their flaws define them. We pretend that they are somehow less human. Forgive us for our shameful attitudes and actions. Fill us with respect and kindness for even the least deserving of our neighbors. I'm going to live out the golden rule. Amen.

WAIT FOR IT

PSALM 146:3, 5 (MSG)
Don’t put your life in the hands of experts
who know nothing of life, of salvation life.
Instead, get help from the God of Jacob,
put your hope in GOD and know real blessing!

LUKE 21:19 (MSG)
Staying with it—that’s what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry; you’ll be saved.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God's good things come to those who patiently wait for him.

PRAYER
Kind God, you are so patient. I confess that I'm not very good at either perseverance or patient. I'm easily distracted by every new thing that comes along. Settle me down so that I can wait things out, trusting in you and your plan. My hope is in you. Amen.