The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Monday, October 2, 2023
Longing, Guidance, and Partnership
Monday, October 2, 2023
Longing, Guidance, and Partnership
in God's Work
Psalm 42; Exodus 18:1-12; Philippians 1:3-14
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Psalm 42; Exodus 18:1-12; Philippians 1:3-14
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
In Psalm 42, Exodus 18:1-12, and Philippians 1:3-14, the overarching theme is the sustenance and refinement of faith amidst varying circumstances—be it emotional distress, the challenges of leadership, or imprisonment. These passages explore how longing for God's presence (Psalm 42), the wisdom of communal support and delegation (Exodus 18:1-12), and the resilience of faith even in hardship (Philippians 1:3-14) contribute to a more profound and enduring relationship with God. Through personal introspection, shared wisdom, and communal encouragement, each text reveals how faith not only survives but also thrives in the complexities of human experience.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 42
Hope in God the rock
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 42
Hope in God the rock
Psalm 42 is a poignant, heartfelt cry of spiritual longing and existential thirst. Traditionally attributed to the sons of Korah, this psalm captures the essence of the soul's yearning for God, particularly during times of despair and isolation. The recurring image of a deer panting for water is a powerful metaphor that encapsulates the psalmist's deep spiritual thirst for the living God. This psalm speaks to those who are in the wilderness of life, feeling distant from God and yearning for a sense of His presence. It teaches us that it is okay to pour out our deepest emotions before God, to admit our spiritual drought, and to earnestly seek His face. For all who feel distant from divine love, or are navigating the treacherous waters of doubt and despair, Psalm 42 stands as a testament that you are not alone in your spiritual journey.1 As the deer longs for the water-brooks, *
so longs my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; *
when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, *
while all day long they say to me,
“Where now is your God?”
4 I pour out my soul when I think on these things; *
how I went with the multitude and led them into the
house of God,
5 With the voice of praise and thanksgiving, *
among those who keep holy-day.
6 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
7 Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
8 My soul is heavy within me; *
therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan,
and from the peak of Mizar among the heights of Hermon.
9 One deep calls to another in the noise of your cataracts; *
all your rapids and floods have gone over me.
10 The LORD grants his loving-kindness in the daytime; *
in the night season his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
11 I will say to the God of my strength,
“Why have you forgotten me? *
and why do I go so heavily while the enemy
oppresses me?”
12 While my bones are being broken, *
my enemies mock me to my face;
13 All day long they mock me *
and say to me, “Where now is your God?”
14 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
15 Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Heavenly Father, the creator of streams in the desert and hope in despair, As the deer pants for water, so my soul longs for You, O God. My innermost being cries out for the Living Water that only You can provide. I am thirsty, Lord, thirsty for Your presence, Your love, Your peace that surpasses all understanding.
Lord, there are times when I feel distant from You, when my spirit is downcast and turmoil resides within me. I come to you with a parched soul, yearning to be filled with Your divine presence. Remind me, Father, of Your endless love, Your constant faithfulness, even when I feel lost in a spiritual desert.
Like the psalmist, I remember Your goodness and mercy, how I used to rejoice in Your sanctuary, and I hold onto the hope that I shall yet praise You again. O God, my Rock and my Redeemer, let Your hope rise within me, like a well that never runs dry.
In times of loneliness and isolation, let me hear Your voice, feel Your comfort, and know that You are near. Banish my fears and doubts, and replace them with trust and devotion. Let me be anchored in Your unchanging nature as I navigate the changing currents of life.
O God, I put my hope in You, for I shall yet praise You, my Savior and my God. Fill my soul with the Living Water that quenches all thirst, renews all strength, and restores all joy.
Be with us today and every day in Jesus Christ, Who taught us to pray:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”
Exodus 18:1-12 captures a pivotal moment in the Israelites' journey out of Egypt. As they find themselves in the wilderness, they are joined by Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, who comes to meet them. The passage is remarkable for its interpersonal dynamics, as it showcases Moses' reunion with his family, and more importantly, serves as a prelude to Jethro's significant advice to Moses about leadership. This passage underscores the theme of divine providence and guidance, while also touching on important elements of governance, family ties, and religious observance.18 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.
2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her 3 and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”; 4 and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.”
5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God. 6 Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”
7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them.
9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” 12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.
Commentary
Reunion and the Sharing of Experiences (Verses 1-7):
In the first part of this passage, Jethro hears of what the Lord has done for Moses and the Israelites. Intrigued and likely concerned for his family, Jethro decides to visit Moses, bringing with him Moses' wife and children. The interaction between Moses and Jethro is one of mutual respect and warmth. Moses "bowed down" to Jethro and "kissed him" (v.7), a sign of respect to his elder and also possibly acknowledging his role as a priest of Midian.
Celebrating God’s Deliverance (Verses 8-9):
Moses recounts to Jethro all the good things that the Lord has done for Israel, highlighting how God delivered them from the oppression of the Egyptians. Jethro's response is one of joy; he "was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel" (v.9). This showcases how the acts of God can be a source of joy not just to those directly impacted but also to those who hear about His deeds.
Acknowledgment of the One True God (Verses 10-11):
Jethro, a Midianite priest, openly acknowledges the supremacy of the God of Israel by stating, "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods." This acknowledgment is particularly significant given Jethro's own religious background. It underscores the universal power and dominion of the God of Israel over all gods and peoples.
Sacrifices and Fellowship (Verse 12):
Jethro doesn't just verbally acknowledge God’s greatness; he also takes a participative role in worshiping Him. Jethro brings a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron and the elders of Israel join him in a meal. This shared religious experience forms a fellowship that crosses cultural and familial boundaries, a testament to the unifying power of divine action and faith.
Conclusion:
Exodus 18:1-12 serves as an interlude in the grand narrative of the Exodus, but its themes are profound. It showcases how God's deeds have ripple effects, impacting not just the immediate beneficiaries but also those who hear about it, even across cultural and religious lines. It serves as a precursor to the invaluable advice Jethro will offer Moses in the following verses, subtly emphasizing the importance of godly wisdom and governance. The passage also highlights the importance of family ties and religious fellowship, elements that sustain communities in times of transition and change.
Overall, this passage is a rich tapestry of themes and lessons that remain ever relevant.
The Epistle to the Philippians is one of Paul's most personal and affectionate letters, written while he was imprisoned. The passage from Philippians 1:3-14 offers a glimpse into the deep emotional and spiritual bonds that Paul shared with the Christian community in Philippi. This portion of the text is filled with themes of gratitude, joy, partnership in the Gospel, and the transformative power of suffering. It reveals Paul's unwavering commitment to spreading the message of Christ, even in the face of adversity, and provides profound insights into how Christian communities can sustain and inspire each other in faith and mission.3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Commentary
Gratitude and Partnership (Verses 3-5):
Paul opens by expressing his gratitude for the Philippians every time he remembers them, emphasizing that his prayers for them are filled with joy. The source of this joy is their "partnership in the Gospel," indicating a deeply communal and cooperative endeavor. The Philippians didn't just believe in the message Paul preached; they actively participated in its dissemination.
Confidence in Divine Completion (Verse 6):
Paul reassures the Philippians by stating that "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." This points to an ongoing process of spiritual growth and maturation, underlining Paul’s confidence in the divine promise of eventual completion. This reassurance is not just individualistic but communal; it’s a collective journey toward fulfillment in Christ.
Bonds of Affection (Verses 7-8):
Paul's emotional attachment to the Philippians is palpable. He holds them in his heart and longs for them with "the affection of Christ Jesus." This isn’t a casual friendship but a spiritual family bound together by their common commitment to the Gospel.
Prayer for Love and Wisdom (Verses 9-11):
Paul's prayer for the Philippians is not merely for their well-being but also for their growth in love, knowledge, and depth of insight. These are not separate elements but interconnected aspects of Christian maturity that would enable them to discern what is best and to be "filled with the fruit of righteousness."
Transforming Suffering into Gospel Opportunity (Verses 12-14):
Paul addresses his imprisonment, not as a setback but as something that has "actually served to advance the Gospel." This reframe is powerful; it transforms a situation of suffering into an opportunity for Gospel advancement. His imprisonment becomes a witness, inspiring "most of the brothers and sisters" to "speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."
Conclusion:
Philippians 1:3-14 offers a layered and rich exposition on the nature of Christian community, the steadfastness of divine promises, and the transformative power of suffering when viewed through the lens of faith. Paul’s own life exemplifies these themes, as he turns obstacles into opportunities for the Gospel. His relationship with the Philippians is not just supportive but synergistic, enhancing the spiritual growth and mission of the entire community. The passage is a powerful reminder that the journey of faith is not meant to be walked alone but in partnership, bound by love and propelled by a shared commitment to the Gospel.
Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]
The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789). Commentaries are by Rev. Kenny Sallee, ThM.
The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Monday, October 2, 2023
Psalm 42; Exodus 18:1-12; Philippians 1:3-14
In today's readings, the overarching theme is the sustenance and refinement of faith amidst varying circumstances—be it emotional distress, the challenges of leadership, or imprisonment. These passages explore how longing for God's presence (Psalm 42), the wisdom of communal support and delegation (Exodus 18:1-12), and the resilience of faith even in hardship (Philippians 1:3-14) contribute to a more profound and enduring relationship with God. Through personal introspection, shared wisdom, and communal encouragement, each text reveals how faith not only survives but also thrives in the complexities of human experience.
