Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“So that what was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given”
NL Daily Devotion for Friday, September 2, 2022
by Daniel D. Maurer, Clergy Stuff
The Apostle Paul was a church builder. The pressing challenge he faced was bringing dissimilar people together. God loves diversity—if it weren’t so the planet Earth would look far more plain and uniform, and different people would stand on the same side of everything. Clearly, this isn’t so.
Like the expansive diversity we see in plant and animal life, each person is as individualistic as the next. Even identical twins aren’t exact copies. However, differing worldviews sometimes bring about tensions. Nations rise up against nations. People go to war. In churches, people side whether the sanctuary’s carpet should be green or red!
Paul knew this, and God provided. The big fight in Paul’s day was how to bring together Jews and gentiles. The answer? Jesus. Christ served as the fulfillment, God’s message of welcome for all. The promises belong to all, no matter your worldview, especially today when divisions threaten to tear us apart.
Great Uniter, guide me today to listen. Amen.
Prayer concern: People different than me
