Saturday, May 22, 2010

Todays Scriptural Journal Entry

May 22, 2010
Today’s readings included: 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5, Psalm 99 and Romans 3. My devotional thoughts following the S.O.A.P. method are as follows:

Scripture Verses that caught my attention today:
1 Kings 8:14-15ff Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel stood. He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to my father David, saying… AND 1 Kings 8:22-23ff Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. 23 He said, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart…

Observation: This is what church leaders do today during worship (at least in the Lutheran church); we address the gathered assembly in various ways and then, in front of that same assembly, we offer prayers of thanksgiving and concern directly to God.

Application: I just attended the baccalaureate worship service at Trinity Lutheran Seminary (my alma mater) where the graduates included a daughter of the congregation I serve as well as a gentleman that I supervised as an intern last year, among others. Not all seminary graduates end up being called to serve a congregation as a pastor, but those who do will no doubt regularly do what Solomon did on the occasion above: address the people and then address God.

It’s humbling, really, to do both. It’s naturally humbling to be invited to speak in front of the assembly to the Almighty. But it’s almost equally humbling to have the gathered assembly listen to what people like me might have to say to them! Since the time of Jesus, all people are welcome to pray to God. But not everyone is called and invited to serve as a pastor and, in turn, regularly be listened to by those who gather for worship. I’m not saying that serving as a pastor is better than any other role. It’s just different. And that’s humbling. I won’t recount all of the possible reasons for my disqualification here, but suffice it to say that it’s hard to see how in the world I could possibly measure up for such a task! But that’s just the point; I don’t measure up. And if I might be so bold as to say it, neither does anyone else who serves in this role. Rather, our call is a gift. It’s a gift to be heard and it’s a gift to be invited to speak—not just toward the heavenly realm, but also across the room.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for the gift of the call. Be with all who have received or will receive such a gift. And be with all other earthly companions who graciously entrust your called leaders to speak a word from you to them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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