The Daily Lectionary
with Commentary
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Seeking Grace in Moments of Faith
with Commentary
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Seeking Grace in Moments of Faith
and Challenge
Psalm 86; Genesis 16:1-14; Luke 18:15-17
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 2)
Introduction
Psalm 86; Genesis 16:1-14; Luke 18:15-17
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Ordinary 2)
Introduction
Psalm 86, Genesis 16:1-14, and Luke 18:15-17 together weave a tapestry of faith, grace, and humility in the face of life's challenges and divine encounters. Psalm 86 is a heartfelt plea for God's mercy, showcasing a deep trust in the Lord's goodness amidst adversity. Genesis 16:1-14 narrates the story of Hagar, offering a poignant reflection on human frailty and the Lord's providential care even in complex and distressing situations. Luke 18:15-17 presents Jesus' welcoming embrace of children, emphasizing the importance of childlike faith and openness to the Kingdom of God. Together, these passages invite reflection on the nature of faith, the pursuit of divine grace, and the humility required to truly embrace God's kingdom. They challenge readers to see beyond their immediate circumstances, trusting in God's overarching plan and embracing a posture of humility and faith.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 86
The Cry of the Humble for Mercy and Guidance
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 86
The Cry of the Humble for Mercy and Guidance
Psalm 86 is a heartfelt prayer of King David, expressing his deep dependence on God in times of trouble. It is a blend of petition and praise, demonstrating David's trust in God's steadfast love and faithfulness. In this psalm, David seeks God's mercy, guidance, and protection against his enemies. He acknowledges his own neediness and God's greatness, contrasting his human frailty with God's omnipotence. Psalm 86 is a beautiful example of a soul seeking communion with God, recognizing His power to save and sustain.1 Hear me, LORD, and answer me, *
For I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; *
Save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God;
3 Have mercy on me, LORD, *
For I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, LORD, *
For I put my trust in you.
5 You, LORD, are forgiving and good, *
Abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, LORD; *
Listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you, *
Because you answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like you, LORD; *
No deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, LORD; *
They will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; *
You alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, LORD,
that I may rely on your faithfulness; *
Give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, LORD my God, with all my heart; *
I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me; *
You have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead.
14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; *
Ruthless people are trying to kill me—
they have no regard for you.
15 But you, LORD, are a compassionate and gracious God, *
Slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
show your strength in behalf of your servant; *
Save me, because I serve you
just as my mother did.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness,
that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, *
For you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Heavenly Father, in the spirit of Psalm 86, I come before You with a humble heart, seeking Your grace and mercy. Lord, You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.
I praise You, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever. For great is Your love toward me; You have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.
Arise, O Lord, and show me Your mercy, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to You; save Your servant who trusts in You. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to You all day long. Bring joy to Your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in You.
Lord, hear my prayer; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble, I call to You, for You will answer me.
Among the gods, there is none like You, Lord; no deeds can compare with Yours. All the nations You have made will come and worship before You, Lord; they will bring glory to Your name. For You are great and do marvelous deeds; You alone are God.
Turn to me and have mercy on me; show Your strength in behalf of Your servant; save me, because I serve You just as my mother did.
Give me a sign of Your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
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.”
Genesis 16:1-14 narrates a poignant episode in the lives of Abram, Sarai, and Hagar. This passage uncovers the complexities of human relationships, the pain of unmet desires, and the intervention of God in unexpected ways. As we explore this story, we see Sarai, Abram's wife, struggling with childlessness and making a decision to give her Egyptian maid, Hagar, to Abram as a surrogate. This act, common in ancient Near Eastern culture, leads to unforeseen consequences, revealing the depth of human emotions and the intricate interplay of faith, desperation, and social customs.16 1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”
Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.
When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the LORD judge between you and me.”
6 “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.
7 The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”
“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.
9 Then the angel of the LORD told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” 10 The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”
11 The angel of the LORD also said to her:
“You are now pregnant
and you will give birth to a son.
You shall name him Ishmael,
for the Lord has heard of your misery.
12 He will be a wild donkey of a man;
his hand will be against everyone
and everyone’s hand against him,
and he will live in hostility
toward all his brothers.”
13 She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.
Commentary
1. Cultural Context and Personal Desperation: Sarai's decision to give Hagar to Abram reflects the cultural norms of the time and her desperation to fulfill the promise of God for an offspring. This action, while understandable in its historical context, sets the stage for conflict and heartache.
2. Hagar's Plight and God's Intervention: Hagar's subsequent pregnancy leads to strife and mistreatment, causing her to flee. Her vulnerability as a foreign servant is starkly portrayed, highlighting societal inequities. However, in her flight, Hagar encounters the angel of the Lord, marking a significant theological moment where God's compassion and concern for the marginalized are powerfully demonstrated.
3. The God Who Sees: The narrative reaches a crescendo with the divine encounter where Hagar is given a promise about her offspring and instructed to return. This encounter introduces one of the most evocative names of God in the Hebrew Bible, "El-Roi," meaning "the God who sees." This name speaks to God's intimate awareness of human suffering and His willingness to intervene in human affairs.
4. Themes of Faith and Human Frailty: This passage is rich in themes of faith, human frailty, and the complexity of divine-human interactions. Sarai and Abram's actions are a mix of faith and impatience, and Hagar's experience reveals God's grace in the midst of human strife.
5. The Ripple Effects of Decisions: Genesis 16:1-14 is a powerful reminder of how personal decisions can have far-reaching consequences, both positive and negative. It challenges readers to consider the impact of their actions on others and to look for God's presence in the midst of difficult circumstances.
In conclusion, this passage not only provides historical insight into the lives of key biblical figures but also offers profound lessons on God's nature, human interaction, and the enduring hope found in divine promises.
In Luke 18:15-17, we encounter a profound teaching of Jesus about the Kingdom of God and the attitude required to enter it. This passage provides a glimpse into Jesus' view on children and their significance in understanding and receiving the kingdom of God. It challenges adults to reevaluate their approach to faith and spirituality through the lens of a child's perspective.18 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Commentary
This passage opens with people bringing their children to Jesus, an act signifying their desire for these young ones to receive a blessing from the revered teacher. The disciples' reaction—rebuking the people—reflects a common societal view that underestimated the importance of children. However, Jesus' response is radically countercultural. He not only welcomes the children but also uses this moment as a teaching opportunity to redefine the criteria for entering the Kingdom of God.
Jesus' statement, "for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these," emphasizes the value and significance of children in God's eyes. It implies that the qualities inherent in children—innocence, humility, dependence, and trust—are essential for anyone who seeks to be a part of God's kingdom. This perspective was revolutionary, especially in a culture that often marginalized children.
Furthermore, Jesus' assertion that one must receive the kingdom of God "like a little child" is a call for a fundamental shift in attitude. It is an invitation to embrace humility, to let go of self-sufficiency, and to adopt a posture of total reliance and trust in God—qualities often observed in children. This teaching challenges the adult predisposition towards skepticism, pride, and self-reliance.
In essence, Luke 18:15-17 serves as a reminder that the Kingdom of God is accessible not through power, wisdom, or status, but through a childlike faith characterized by simplicity, openness, and trust. It encourages believers to look at faith through the eyes of a child, unburdened by the complexities and cynicism that often accompany adulthood. This passage invites us to rediscover the joy and wonder of a genuine, unpretentious faith in God.
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. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 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 Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Seeking Grace in Moments of Faith and Challenge
Psalm 86; Genesis 16:1-14; Luke 18:15-17
Together, today's readings weave a tapestry of faith, grace, and humility in the face of life's challenges and divine encounters. Our Psalm reading is a heartfelt plea for God's mercy, showcasing a deep trust in the Lord's goodness amidst adversity. Our reading in Genesis narrates the story of Hagar, offering a poignant reflection on human frailty and the Lord's providential care even in complex and distressing situations. Our reading in Luke presents Jesus' welcoming embrace of children, emphasizing the importance of childlike faith and openness to the Kingdom of God. Together, these passages invite reflection on the nature of faith, the pursuit of divine grace, and the humility required to truly embrace God's kingdom. They challenge readers to see beyond their immediate circumstances, trusting in God's overarching plan and embracing a posture of humility and faith.
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