Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.”
NL Daily Devotion for Monday, August 27, 2018
by Daniel D. Maurer, Clergy Stuff
Ever go to a movie you've already seen, but your friends haven't yet seen it? It's nice knowing the end when they don't, but there's always the temptation to spoil it for them (or even say, "Oh! Oh! You're gonna love this part!")
Just. Don't.
But I heard once that followers of Jesus already know the end of the story. It's true, we do.
God wins. That's the end of the story.
When you think your marriage is falling apart, God wins.
When you see animals being mistreated, God wins.
When you fear that your daughter may be using drugs, God wins.
When climate change threatens the very existence of our planet, God wins.
Even when everything else seems to be going to shit, God wins.
This attitude doesn't have to be an oh-well-there's-nothing-I-can-do-anyway. No. In fact, it can drive us to a greater sense of justice and to make things right which seem to be all wrong.
Knowing the end of the story—God wins—allows us the freedom from the fear of inaction, that everything is spinning, hurtling out of control.
God's in control, even when it looks like God isn't, or doesn't care. Immeasurable gifts, everlasting. Yup.
Narrative Lectionary Daily Reading:
Ephesians 1:15-23
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
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