Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

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Read

Romans 10:15-21 (NRSV)

And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.

But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for

“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.”

Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,

“I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;
with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”

Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,

“I have been found by those who did not seek me;
I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

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Reflect

I once knew a bride who prepared a lovely meal to surprise her new husband, making his favorite foods and setting the table beautifully. She eagerly awaited his arrival, looking forward to his joy at receiving her loving gift. He came in and huffed at the excessive preparation, took his plate to his TV chair and told her never to do that again! Can you imagine? How could he have been so cruel and self-centered? And yet, do we treat God’s daily gifts of life, truth, grace, and love with similar contempt? Do we despise God’s gifts by not even taking the time to appreciate our daily gifts of life, by not taking the time to be fully present to hear and live out the living word God brings? Does God speak of us, too, when saying, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people”?

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Pray

Loving and faithful God, open our eyes to your daily gifts of life and love. Open our hearts to receive the gift of your presence with joy and gratitude. Forgive us when we take for granted the many daily gifts you give us. Especially open our ears, our eyes, our hearts, our minds, and our spirits to receive the good news of the grace and life that we have in Jesus, our risen Lord. Help us to share that amazing grace and life with one another. In Jesus’ living and loving name we pray. Amen.

Go with God.