Daily Reading: 20 November

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

In the Lord's love we have the greatest exaltation

Something to read

A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien.

- Deuteronomy 26:5 from full reading Deuteronomy 26:5-10.

Something to think about

How do we think of ourselves? I am surprised by the number of people who in their heart of hearts do not think their reputation matches their true selves. People sometimes admit, ‘I am surprised no one has found me out yet’. It can be a heavy burden to carry.

Before God we can face the truth. Christians know that ‘while we still were sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8). In today’s passage, the Israelites knew something similar: ‘A wandering Aramean was my ancestor’ (Deuteronomy 26:5).

This confession was supposed to guide them through the whole time of the settlement in the promised land and their life there and elsewhere. Scholars tell us that this passage, like much of the Old Testament, only took its current form after the people had been chastened again through the experience of exile.

God tells us not to think more highly of ourselves, because in the Lord’s love we have the greatest exaltation possible – and that is to be shared with others. Even when wandering or in exile our identity is secure. We are all children of God.

Something to do

Read and reflect on our shared human identity as pilgrim people whether on the move or settled in our Becoming Human Together resource.

Something to pray

Loving God, help me to know more of your love for me and so bring me to a place where I am able to love others selflessly.

Today’s reading has been provided by Jim Stewart. Jim has led a church in Tunbridge Wells over the last 21 years, at the time of writing. Together with his wife they have been pleased to serve with people with a heart for evangelism, social action and worldwide mission.