Daily Reading: 24 June
(from www.christianaid.org.uk)
Response to God's gift.
Something to read
As he talked with them, the champion... Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.
- 1 Samuel 17:23 from full reading 1 Samuel 17:23, 45-47 .
Something to think about
There is no doubt about the brutality of the narrative and verbal exchanges of this text. It is demonstrable of how you and I can become caught-up in the fury of the moment.
I am, however, particularly challenged by four words in the raucous, confrontational and hostile dialogue between Goliath and David: ‘And David heard him…’
David clearly had the propensity to ‘listen’ to what he heard and discern a godly response. Framing the response in divine language and plan of action is the thing!
At Christian Aid, we believe everything we do is in response to God’s gift to the world, of his son Jesus Christ. Jesus promised ‘good news’ for the poor and ‘freedom’ for the oppressed, calling us to action.
Read more about what we believe
We’re called to ‘hear’ what is going on around us and communicate the ‘good news’ of Jesus in words and deeds. Our response, in our local, national and global world, is indicative of our attentiveness to the way of Jesus.
Something to do
Try this week to follow a news feature that connects with your passion and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into an appropriate response.
Watch and say our prayer for refugees and internally displaced people.
Something to pray
Lord, may we be blessed
with the spiritual sensitivity
to hear with the ears of a listener
and respond in the language of compassion
that enables kingdom life.
Amen.
Today’s contributor is the Rev Phyllis Thompson, the Education Director for the New Testament Church of God-Leadership Training Centre.