Saturday, April 9
Jeremiah 23:9-15
Psalms 33, 102, 108
Romans 9:1-18
John 6:60-71
The passage in Jeremiah makes us realize that when we feel weak and discouraged, especially in a materialistic world where so many people with great gifts misuse and waste what God has given, we’re not alone. God’s promise is that with His help, we’ll rise above our weaknesses and make a positive difference. He gives us all sorts of ways to connect.
The first Psalm tells us to praise God with harp, lute and trumpet. Today, we use guitar, piano, organ, and trumpet on feast days, but most especially we use our voices. Singing His praises makes us happy in the here and now, and most importantly, it shows our gratitude and thankfulness for His goodness.
Next, reading Psalm 102 is like telling a dear friend how much we’re hurting and having our dear friend God reply, “I know how bad you feel.” He does know all things, understands us, and loves us, our true comforter.
St. Paul in Romans 9 shows us the difference between the professed Christian and the real believer. The professed Christian may have many material benefits, but nothing of the spirit. On the other hand, people who seem to have nothing, who are hungry, sick, or lonely, may be the ones who have everything because they have a different kind of blessing, that of God’s grace. None of us ever deserves this grace, but when we receive it, can only thank God.
The last passage in John shows us how people respond in different ways to God’s message: some find it too hard, and some stay with it. It reminds us of the old saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” One of the hardest things in life is to see that status, money, and prestige do nothing for us. Ultimately, God’s acceptance of us has nothing to do with what we achieve, but rather with our obeying His laws and keeping Him first in our hearts. Our parents used to tell us, “It’s easy to be nice, but good is difficult.” This passage tells us to allow ourselves to be transformed: Give in, let God.
Ian and Elizabeth Bremner