The Daily Readings for SUNDAY, October 14, 2018 - Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost

The Daily Readings

SUNDAY, October 14, 2018 - Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost

(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)

Greeting

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Phillipians 1:2

Prayer of the Day (Collect)

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness

Trusting God's promise of forgiveness, let us confess our sins against God and one another.

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is nothing good in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to Your promises declared unto men in Christ Jesus our Lord. Grant that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; to the glory of His name. Amen

The Lessons

Old Testament

Amos 5:6-7,10-15
5:6 Seek the Lord and live,
    or he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire,
    and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it.
7 Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood,
    and bring righteousness to the ground!

10 They hate the one who reproves in the gate,
    and they abhor the one who speaks the truth.
11 Therefore because you trample on the poor
    and take from them levies of grain,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
    but you shall not live in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
    but you shall not drink their wine.
12 For I know how many are your transgressions,
    and how great are your sins—
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
    and push aside the needy in the gate.
13 Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time;
    for it is an evil time.

14 Seek good and not evil,
    that you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
    just as you have said.
15 Hate evil and love good,
    and establish justice in the gate;
it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
    will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

The Psalm

Psalm 90:12-17 Domine, refugium
12 So teach us to number our days *

that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

13 Return, O Lord; how long will you tarry? *

be gracious to your servants.

14 Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; *

so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.

15 Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us *

and the years in which we suffered adversity.

16 Show your servants your works *

and your splendor to their children.

17 May the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us; *

prosper the work of our hands;
prosper our handiwork.

The Epistle

Hebrews 4:12-16
4:12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.

Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The Gospel

Mark 10:17-31
The Rich Man
10:17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” 20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”

28 Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Here ends the Lessons

Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Apostle's Creed

We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

We believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Lord, give us faith to walk where You are sending, On paths unmarked, eyes blind as to their ending; Not knowing where we go, but that You lead us—With grace precede us. Amen.

Benediction

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. Amen

~ 2 Corinthians 13:13

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.

"Don’t try that at home, or anywhere else!" The Sermon for SUNDAY, October 14, 2018 - Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost

The Holy Gospel comes to us this morning from Mark the 10th chapter, beginning at the 17th verse.

10:17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” 20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Dear Heavenly Father, you sent you Son into our world to seek the lost and to save those who dwell in a land of darkness and despair. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, stir in us compassion and concern for those who think that they are beyond hope and your saving grace. Protect and keep each of us from the snares of hell, and restore in us a sense of value and potential for our lives and for the growth of your church. This we ask, in Christ’s holy name. Amen.

"Don’t try that at home, or anywhere else!"

A man cannonballs from the top of his garage into his neighbor’s pool. A skateboarder grabs on to the back of a speeding car and zips down Main Street. A motorcyclist skids under an 18-wheeler and pops up on the other side. You’ve all seen these stunts in the movies. And you’ve also heard the warning: “Don’t try this at home!” Still, there are always a handful of daredevils who think they can safely copy what they see the professional stuntman do. What usually follows is a clip worth sending into Funniest Home Videos – that is if the amateur stuntman didn’t get hurt too badly.

In our Gospel lesson today we meet a young man who thought he could do the impossible. He thought he could earn his way into heaven. “Don’t try that at home, or anywhere else,” says the Holy Spirit to us this morning. Overestimate your goodness, or underestimate your God and you’ll be in for an eternal world of hurt.

The thing about stunts like jumping off a building or hopping between moving cars is that the professionals make it look so easy. When the young man in our text considered God’s commands he thought these were easy too. And so he approached Jesus looking for more of a challenge – something he could do to guarantee his place in heaven. In spite of his false presumption there is something likeable about this young man. He doesn’t saunter up to Jesus with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. He runs to Jesus and falls on his knees before him. Would that we sought Jesus with the same energy and humility! Instead we often find it more desirable to run to the computer after dinner to check email than to dive into God’s Word for a quiet ten-minute devotion. Or if we do open his Word, we’re hardly on our knees in eager anticipation of what pearls will pour forth.

However, there is something about this young man that we don’t want to copy – namely the way he overestimated his goodness. When Jesus told him that he should not murder, not commit adultery, not steal, not give false testimony, not cheat, but honor his father and mother, the young man replied with a straight face: “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth” (Mark 10:20).

Have you ever made a claim like that? Many people do. When I ask the question: “If you were to die tonight, and God should ask: ‘Why should I let you into my heaven?’” The answer I often get is “Well I’ve been a good person. I haven’t killed anyone. I haven’t cheated anyone. I’ve tried my best to be a good father…” This response is really no different than the one the young man gave Jesus. We too tend to overestimate our goodness. We overestimate our goodness because we underestimate the precision with which God wants all of his commands obeyed. We forget that being good in God’s eyes means always responding to hurtful comments with loving words. It means speaking well of your neighbor even when his dog yaps all day long. It means respecting your parents even when they don’t let you hang out with your friends. It means protecting your neighbor’s investment of a new lawn by weeding out all the dandelions in your yard. It even means praying for those who burn down your church. There is no way we obey God with such precision, and neither had the young man in our text. All have sinned, says the Bible.

So what was Jesus to do with this young man? You’d think he’d let out an exasperated sigh, roll his eyes, and rip the kid to shreds. That would have been easy for Jesus to do. After all he is God. He knew everything about that young man. He knew about the dirty thoughts the young man had perhaps entertained earlier that day about the girl who lived down the street. He knew how the young man was refusing to forgive his father for having beaten him, and how he had scoffed at the seeming silliness of his village elders. Jesus really could have put the man in his place. Instead Mark records these astonishing words: “Jesus looked at him and loved him” (Mark 10:21a). Wow! Far from being irritated, as you and I are when someone is slow to catch on to simple directions, Jesus consciously loved the man. How did he show that love? Jesus said: “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me” (Mark 10:21b).

Huh? How was that a demonstration of Jesus’ love? Like the doctor who orders a MRI in addition to the CAT scan he’s already performed to convince a skeptical patient of his illness, Jesus used this command to bring to light the fact that the young man wasn’t as good as he supposed. That became clear when his face fell at Jesus’ words. You see, the young man loved “stuff.” Give it up to follow Jesus? That was too much to ask. He admired Jesus but clearly he didn’t adore him.

Friends, you may have gone to church or read this devotion today because you admire Jesus. You love his simple yet thought-provoking parables. You like how he stood with those others wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. And you know that he must love you because he willingly gave up his life on the cross for you. But Jesus wants more than your admiration; he wants your adoration. Will you give up everything to follow him, or are you too attached to your worldly possessions, as was the young man? No, Jesus doesn’t want you to sell all your belongings and enter a monastery or convent but he does want you to use all your gifts to praise him. For example he wants every movie you rent to glorify him, not mock his design for marriage. He wants every meal you eat to be received with thanksgiving, not groans. He wants every note you practice on the piano to be done with cheerful eagerness, not grumpy sluggishness. And he wants every dollar you put in the offering plate to be delivered in genuine liberality, not grim reluctance. If we have really been touched by Jesus’ love, these demands won’t seem excessive but exciting. We serve the King of the universe because we get to not because we have to.

But that was all too much for the young man and he slumped away from Jesus much like how you may be slumping in your chair now after hearing what Jesus expects of you. Good. As Martin Luther once said: “Before God can make us glad he needs to make us sad.”

While we are not to overestimate our goodness neither are we to underestimate our God. That’s what the disciples were in danger of doing. When Jesus watched the young man go, he said: “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:24b-25). How hard is it for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle? You might be able to squeeze through a whisker or two but getting hooves, hump, and rump through the tiny opening is impossible. It’s just as impossible for someone to squeeze into heaven while entertaining covetous thoughts because they are not happy with what God has already given to them. It’s no wonder the disciples responded: “Then who can be saved?” (Mark 10:26) The disciples may not have owned as much “stuff” as that young man but they knew they wished they were as rich so Jesus’ words also applied to them. Likewise if you’ve ever poured over those advertisements from Best Buy longing for a bigger TV. If you have a reoccurring dream in which you live in a mansion, instead of that “dinky” house you now have, then Jesus’ words apply to you, too. A camel has a better chance of fitting through the eye of a needle than you do of getting into heaven! Thankfully our Savior had more to say on the subject. He continued: “For mortals [salvation] it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27).

Earning my own salvation is impossible. I know that. I mean if each sin was a raindrop, I’d be soaked right now just from the sins I committed since getting up this morning. And like water bursting through a dam I can’t stop the deluge of greedy, dirty, boastful, sarcastic, selfish thoughts that saturate my brain from morning until night. But there is hope for me. Jesus just said that all things, even the salvation of an incessant sinner like me, are possible with God. It’s more than possible actually. It’s guaranteed. Jesus made the impossible a certain guarantee when he gave his life on the cross to pay for all the sins I’ve committed or will ever commit. He’s done the same for you even if you mistakenly think that your sins are worse than mine. You see it’s not about your sin; it’s about your Savior. No, don’t overestimate your goodness but don’t underestimate your God either. That’s just as bad! Even right now Jesus is looking at you as he looked at that young man in our text and he loves you. He says, “I have forgiven you. My forgiveness covers you like an umbrella.” Don’t walk away from Jesus as the young man did. Throw yourself at his feet (and stay there) in grateful adoration for his forgiveness. Show your adoration by freely confessing your sin, taking responsibility for them, and undoing the harm your sins have caused others. These may seem like daunting tasks but Jesus makes them possible too through the power of his love.

Parachuting from a skyscraper. Running on the roof of a speeding train. Don’t try these at home. Leave it to the professionals. The same goes for trying to squeeze a camel through the eye of a needle. It’s impossible to do just like convincing God you’re good enough to get into his heaven. But what’s impossible for you is not difficult for God. He accomplished your salvation through Jesus. Don’t just admire Jesus for this. Adore him. Amen.

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The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. Sermon contributed by Rev. Daniel Habben.
In our Gospel lesson today we meet a young man who thought he could do the impossible. He thought he could earn his way into heaven.

The Morning Prayer for SUNDAY, October 14, 2018

Sunday morning prayer

Lord on this special day, I run into Your loving arms. May Sunday be a celebration, filled with thankfulness, where I connect with the presence of Heaven, seek Your beauty and goodness, and cherish special family time together. Come fill my heart afresh with Your love. May it overflow with Heaven's bounty, moving through this rest day and into the week ahead.

Lord on this special day, I run into Your arms. Spend cherished time with family, and find shelter in Your palm. May Sunday be a celebration, full up to the brim, with Heaven's promise ringing loud, and Your love flowing in.

Amen

Verse of the Day

Mark 10:27 (NIV) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Read all of Mark 10

Listen to Mark 10

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - La pereza

La pereza

Perezoso, ¿hasta cuándo has de dormir? [...] Así vendrá tu necesidad como caminante, y tu pobreza como hombre armado.

~ Proverbios 6:9-11, RV-60

Una cosa es pasar el rato, que por cierto es muy agradable, y otra muy diferente es ser perezoso. La pereza no habla lo mejor de nosotros, ya que es como una carta de presentación.

Aparte de lo que puede afectar en tu trabajo y te dé mala fama, quizá no te tengan en cuenta para cosas que te gustarían. Incluso, me atrevería a decir que es fatal para tu casa.

En lo personal, no podría estar al lado de un esposo perezoso. ¡Qué terrible es que nosotras como mujeres, que debemos tener el respaldo de nuestra pareja, nos toque hacerlo «todo» porque no podamos contar con él debido a que siempre está dormido o a que todo le dé pereza! Tal vez para algunos les resulte extraño saber que Dios hable en la Biblia de esta condición.

El libro de Proverbios nos pone como ejemplo el insecto más organizado y trabajador: La hormiga. ¿Sabías que la hormiga prepara su comida en el verano y recoge en el tiempo de la siega su mantenimiento? Sus caminos son organizados a pesar de que no tienen gobernador, ni señor.

¿Tú necesitas un jefe para trabajar y hacer las cosas con excelencia? Si eres ese tipo de persona que le cuesta ser activo y cumplir con sus obligaciones, piensa que Dios te está observando y no hay nada más gratificante que todo lo que hagamos lo hagamos como para el Señor.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Una cosa es pasar el rato, que por cierto es muy agradable, y otra muy diferente es ser perezoso.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - I AM VALUABLE

I AM VALUABLE

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

~ Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

She hadn’t laughed for nearly two years, ever since her father’s tragic death in August, 2009. Even though she still liked sports and talking with her friends, Ruth’s eyes didn’t shine anymore, like other teenagers. And she never returned their laughter. Never again, Ruth thought, would she feel the joy she once had, before her father was killed. A fourteen-year-old girl at the time, she still believed two years later that she was to blame for the murder of her father, a well-known church leader in eastern Colombia.

The day the guerrillas shot him, he was waiting for her in an isolated place. Her parents had given Ruth permission to go play soccer. But she was late coming back, so her father had gone looking for her. Bitterness started to fill her heart, as she became angry with herself, convinced she had caused her father’s death. At her fifteenth birthday party, she couldn’t stop her tears from falling. “I don’t want to live anymore!” she sobbed. Suicidal thoughts became part of her daily life, as she kept fighting with her sisters and wrestling with an unhappiness about everything that made her life unbearable.

Her widowed mother, who was receiving regular emotional and material support through Open Doors’ program for martyrs’ families, admitted that although all four of her children were struggling with problems over their father’s death, Ruth’s condition was the worst.

But God turned things around for Ruth in July, when she was one of thirty widows’ children invited to an “orphan encounter” camp sponsored by Open Doors for children and teenagers from six different regions of Colombia. For three days, God used counselors to confront Ruth with the reality of her pain and start her on the path of healing.

At one point, she was asked to write down on some papers all the things that she wanted to fill her heart. “I want to fill my heart with forgiveness for myself, and for those who killed my father,” Ruth wrote. Then she went on to tell the others what she had written, something that she had not had the courage to talk about publicly before. Together the children and teens sometimes smiled over what they’d shared, along with tears as they released their need to cry out their pain. As they faced the words of Scripture taught to them and prayed together, the walls that Ruth had built up in her heart started to fall down.

Overjoyed, Ruth said, “It is so hard to find people who really take care of me. I thought there weren’t any! But now I realize that there are some, and even that I’m valuable for those who I don’t even know! I would like to be a good Christian and serve the Lord with all my heart.”

RESPONSE: Today I will recognize that I am also valuable to God who loves me.

PRAYER: Pray for the many children in the persecuted church who need emotional healing.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

LHM Daily Devotions - Thee Will I Love My Strength My Tower

"Thee Will I Love My Strength My Tower"

Oct. 14, 2018

"Thee will I love my strength my tower, Thee will I love my hope my joy. Thee will I love with all my power, with ardor time shall ne'er destroy. Thee will I love oh light divine, so long as life is mine.

"Thee will I love my life my Savior, who art my best and truest Friend. Thee will I love and praise forever for never shall Thy kindness end. Thee will I love with all my heart -- Thou my Redeemer art."

I recently saw a story on CBS about a 77-year-old man, Luther Younger, who walks a few miles each day to see his wife, Waverlee. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Every day she has spent in the hospital, come rain or shine, Younger walks three miles there and three miles home, breaking into a run when he gets close, in order to be by her side. They have been married for about 35 years.

When asked why he doesn't take the bus or accept the rides offered him by friends along his route, Younger explains that he uses the time walking to reminisce about their lives together. "She's my best friend. That's why I'm sticking with her. If it hadn't been for my wife, I wouldn't have made it."

It struck me while watching this video that Younger knows something of loving with ardor and strength that I can only hope to learn in my lifetime. He knows the energy spent in moving toward his wife, though easier means are available, fans the flame of his love for her and strengthens the depth of their relationship.

This made me think about my own relationships. Do I live like I know that devoting extra time and energy on the ones I love fans the flame between us? Do I even express a portion of this energy in the love I express to Jesus? If I'm honest, the answer is no to both questions. But here's where Younger's story inspires and edifies. His devotion to his wife models something for which we all long: a love that does not grow rusty or dispassionate with age. And Christ's love for us is just like that.

While it might be hard to imagine God getting excited to spend time with us, the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 says otherwise. First, we see God running to us as a Father running to see His long-lost child. Then we see God leaving the welcome-home party to check on the child who has been with Him all along.

So, whether you feel near to God or far from Him today, be assured His love will stop at nothing to reach you where you are. His love does not grow cold or indifferent. In Jesus He has proven that for us.

THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for writing a love story of epic proportions in each and every one of our lives. Through Your life, death, and resurrection on our behalf, You have marked us as people who are passionately loved. Let us go and love likewise. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by AmyRuth Bartlett. It is based on the hymn, "Thee Will I Love My Strength My Tower." Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
I recently saw a story on CBS about a 77-year-old man who walks a few miles each day to see his wife.

Notre Pain Quotidien - Interrogez les bêtes

Interrogez les bêtes

Lisez : Job 12.7-10

La Bible en un an : : Ésaïe 43 – 44 ; 1 Thessaloniciens 2

Interroge les bêtes, elles t’instruiront, les oiseaux du ciel, ils te l’apprendront. V. 7

Nos petits‑enfants, émerveillés, ont pu regarder de près et même toucher un aigle à tête blanche que l’on avait secouru. En écoutant la bénévole du jardin zoologique parler de l’oiseau puissant perché sur son bras, j’ai été étonnée d’apprendre que, déployées, les ailes de ce mâle faisaient 2 m de largeur, mais qu’en raison de ses os creux, il ne pesait qu’environ 3,5 kilos.

Cela m’a rappelé l’aigle majestueux que j’avais vu monter en flèche au‑dessus d’un lac, prêt à piquer pour saisir sa proie de ses serres. Je me suis aussi remémoré un gros oiseau, un héron bleu aux pattes filiformes, qui s’était tenu immobile au bord d’un étang, prêt à plonger vivement son long bec dans l’eau. Or, ce ne sont là que deux des 10 000 espèces d’oiseaux ou presque pouvant nous amener à réfléchir à notre Créateur.

Dans le livre de Job, les amis de celui‑ci débattent des raisons de ses souffrances et lui demandent : « Prétends‑tu sonder les pensées de Dieu » (voir 11.5‑9) ? À cela, Job répond : « Interroge les bêtes, elles t’instruiront, les oiseaux du ciel, ils te l’apprendront » (JOB 12.7). Les animaux attestent que Dieu a conçu sa création, qu’il veille et domine sur elle : « Il tient dans sa main l’âme de tout ce qui vit, le souffle de toute chair d’homme » (V. 10).

Comme Dieu se soucie des oiseaux (MT 6.26 ; 10.29), il nous aime et se soucie assurément de vous et moi, même lorsque nous ne comprenons pas notre situation de vie. Regardez autour de vous et apprenez‑en au sujet de Dieu.

Le monde que Dieu a créé nous renseigne sur lui.

par Alyson Kieda

© 2018 Ministères NPQ
Nos petits‑enfants, émerveillés, ont pu regarder de près et même toucher un aigle à tête blanche que l’on avait secouru.