The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
The Soul's Journey: Longing, Leadership,
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
The Soul's Journey: Longing, Leadership,
and Living for Christ
Psalm 42; Exodus 18:13-27; Philippians 1:15-21
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Psalm 42; Exodus 18:13-27; Philippians 1:15-21
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
In navigating the complexities of life—whether it's the deep spiritual thirst for God's presence, the challenges of leadership and community building, or finding purpose amid suffering—the Bible offers timeless principles. Today's passages collectively teach that our spiritual journey involves a deep longing for a connection with God, the wisdom to build and sustain communities through effective leadership, and the courage to find joy and meaning even in the face of adversity. Together, they affirm that a life aligned with divine principles is not only possible but also fulfilling, as it elevates our earthly experiences and guides us toward a greater, eternal purpose.
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, my soul thirsts for You, like a deer longs for flowing streams. In moments of joy, in seasons of sorrow, my spirit is continually drawn to You—the living water that quenches every form of thirst. I come before You today with a heart that sometimes feels heavy, acknowledging that there are times when my soul is downcast within me.
Lord, I remember the days when I felt so close to You, when Your presence was like a celebration in my heart. Bring me back to that intimacy, Father. For in my bones, I know You are my hope, my rock, my salvation. Your love is constant, even when my emotions are a whirlpool of confusion and doubt.
As I go through this day, may I be reminded that You are with me. In each challenge I face, may Your grace be sufficient for me. For I long to say, as the psalmist did, "By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me."
Father, in those moments when I feel separated from You, when I ask, "Where is my God?"—strengthen my faith. Let me not dwell on the troubles I see but on Your promises that never fail. Replace my questions with a steadfast assurance that You are working all things together for my good.
I will yet praise You, for I know You are the God of my life, the light in my darkness, and the ultimate answer to every form of soul-deep yearning.
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 18:13-27 is a compelling narrative nestled within the larger saga of the Israelites' journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. This particular passage features an intimate conversation between Moses and his father-in-law, Jethro, who offers sagacious advice on leadership and governance. Taking place against the backdrop of the Sinai wilderness, this episode provides timeless lessons on the role of leadership, the importance of delegation, and the community-building aspects of shared responsibility.13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”
15 Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.”
17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”
24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26 They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.
27 Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.
Commentary
The Situation: Moses' Overwhelm (Verse 13)
As the story opens, we find Moses engaged in his judicial role from morning until evening. This verse paints a picture of a leader who is sincere but overloaded, highlighting a situation many modern leaders can empathize with. The welfare of the Israelites rests on his shoulders, but the model he has in place is unsustainable.
Jethro’s Observation (Verses 14-18)
Jethro, an outsider but also a family insider, observes Moses' activities and immediately recognizes the impracticality and inefficiency of Moses' approach. He warns Moses that the task is too heavy for him to handle alone and that he risks wearing himself—and the people—out. Jethro's role exemplifies the importance of mentorship and the fresh perspective that external advisors can offer.
The Advice: Delegation and Division of Labor (Verses 19-23)
Jethro proposes a hierarchical system of governance where the workload is distributed among capable leaders, divided by groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. This plan introduces the principles of delegation and division of labor. The idea is not just to lighten Moses' burden but to make the entire system more effective, responsive, and manageable.
Implementation and Result (Verses 24-27)
Moses heeds Jethro’s counsel and implements the advice. Leaders are appointed to handle lesser matters, allowing Moses to focus on major issues and spend more time in communion with God. The passage closes with Jethro returning to his own land, but his wisdom leaves a lasting impact.
Timeless Principles
The principles laid out in Exodus 18:13-27 have stood the test of time. Modern organizations still use the principles of delegation and hierarchy to manage complex tasks and large groups of people. It also teaches leaders the importance of being open to advice and the value of taking time to focus on their unique strengths and responsibilities, especially those tasks that only they can do.
Conclusion
Exodus 18:13-27 offers a rich tapestry of lessons on leadership, governance, and the role of wise counsel. It reminds us that effective leadership is not a solo endeavor but a collaborative effort. By adopting a wise and practical approach to governance, leaders can create sustainable systems that benefit not just themselves but the entire community they serve.
The passage of Philippians 1:15-21 takes place while the Apostle Paul is under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial. Despite his imprisonment, Paul writes to the church in Philippi to encourage them in their faith and share his own perspective on his circumstances. These verses provide a remarkable look into Paul's mindset, revealing how he manages to find joy, purpose, and meaning, even while facing severe adversities. The passage offers timeless wisdom on the nature of Christian ministry, personal ambitions, and the concept of life and death within the framework of Christian belief.15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Commentary
Varied Motivations in Ministry (Verses 15-17)
Paul acknowledges that not everyone preaching Christ is doing so from pure motives. Some are doing it out of envy and rivalry, possibly seeing Paul's imprisonment as an opportunity to elevate their own standing. Others preach Christ out of goodwill, recognizing that Paul is appointed for the defense of the gospel. This is a valuable lesson on human nature and the mixed motivations that can exist even within the realm of religious or spiritual work.
Joy in the Advancement of the Gospel (Verse 18)
Despite the varied motivations behind the preaching of Christ, Paul rejoices that Christ is being preached. His focus is not on himself or his circumstances but on the ultimate goal—the spreading of the Gospel. This shows remarkable maturity and a selfless perspective, emphasizing the message over the messenger.
Expectation and Hope (Verses 19-20)
Paul expresses his confidence that he will be delivered, not necessarily from physical imprisonment, but delivered in a way that furthers the Gospel. He talks about his "eager expectation and hope" that he won't be ashamed but will have sufficient courage to continue to honor Christ. Whether Paul is released from prison or not, his ultimate aim is that Christ is glorified through him.
The Christian View of Life and Death (Verse 21)
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." This profound statement encapsulates the Christian perspective on life and death. Living means an opportunity to serve Christ and glorify Him, while dying is not the end but a gain—an entry into eternal life with Christ. Paul is torn between these two outcomes, both of which have significant value in his eyes. This provides a paradigm shift on how believers can view the challenges and uncertainties they face, including the ultimate uncertainty—death.
Conclusion
Philippians 1:15-21 reveals Paul's extraordinary ability to maintain joy, purpose, and focus on the Gospel, even in less-than-ideal circumstances. His wisdom serves as a model for modern believers navigating the complexities and challenges of life. By focusing on the advancement of the Gospel and maintaining an eternal perspective on life and death, Christians can find a deeper sense of purpose and joy that transcends their immediate circumstances.
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 Tuesday, October 3, 2023
The Soul's Journey: Longing, Leadership, and Living for Christ
Psalm 42; Exodus 18:13-27; Philippians 1:15-21
In navigating the complexities of life—whether it's the deep spiritual thirst for God's presence, the challenges of leadership and community building, or finding purpose amid suffering—the Bible offers timeless principles. Today's passages collectively teach that our spiritual journey involves a deep longing for a connection with God, the wisdom to build and sustain communities through effective leadership, and the courage to find joy and meaning even in the face of adversity. Together, they affirm that a life aligned with divine principles is not only possible but also fulfilling, as it elevates our earthly experiences and guides us toward a greater, eternal purpose.
