For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Luke 21
For what did Jesus commend the poor widow? How would you describe her offering? Your offerings? The widow offered something the others did not. She offered faith. The others didn’t have to wonder how they were going to eat or what they were going to live on after they gave their gifts. I’m guessing the widow’s two small copper coins wouldn’t have bought her much, but it would have been something, which is better than nothing. But instead of clinging to that, she offered it to God, perhaps trusting the He could meet her needs better than those two small coins. Far too often I struggle to trust God with bits and pieces of my life. What will it take for me to learn to do as this widow did and trust Him with all that I have?
Hos. 14
God invites Israel to return to him. How were they to do that? What would be the result? “Take words with you and return to the LROD.” (Hos. 14:2a). Words. That’s all God asks us to bring. If the words are sincere, God takes care of all the rest.
Ps. 141
Why would verse 3 be an important prayer? Compare James 3:1-12. Our words come from what’s in our heart. However, our heart is often conflicted (see Romans 7). Our words, then, give power to one part or the other. It’s like that old adage about feeding the good dog versus the bad dog inside of us. What we confirm with our mouth is the food for what hides in our heart.
I think there are two ways to take part in wicked deeds. The obvious one is to join the wicked. The other, more subtle way, is to become like them in opposing them. Evil does not cancel out evil; two wrongs don’t make a right. That’s why, like David, we need to continuously pray against the deeds of evildoers. We don’t want to take part in them in any way, shape, or form, no matter how justified it feels. When we hold fast, feed our faith with our words, and don’t let our love grow cold, then, “the wicked will learn that [our] words were well spoken.” (Ps. 141:6b).