The Bible is a gift that God gave to reveal who God is to us. Through the stories in the Bible, we are torn away from the things that occupy our time, and set down in the midst of the holy history of God on earth (p.53). And once there, we come to recognize how the God of all history is also at work in our lives, and to name it, that we might proclaim Christ’s lordship over all through our words and deeds. 

God is still at work–weaving mercy and grace in and through our lives. Pray that God would give you eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to feel, and feet to follow God in the ways that He is leading.

Read: Psalm 13

Sing: Daughters of Zion by Porter’s Gate

Pray: A Prayer by Phyllis Tickle
Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,
stir up your strength and come to help us,
Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;
To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning and of your faithfulness in the night season.
How shall a person cleanse their way? By keeping to your words.
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commandments.
I treasure your promise in my heart, that I may not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O Lord; instruct me in your statutes.

With my lips will I recite all the judgments of your mouth.
I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees than in all manner of riches.
I will meditate on your commandments and give attention to your ways.
My delight is in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust and will not be afraid, for what can flesh do to me?
Set me free, O God, from the bondage of my sins, and give me the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to me in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

This week’s devotions are adapted from the book, Life Together  by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Harper, San Francisco. 1954.