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Elaine White Named Executive Officer of The Upper Room
The Upper Room is pleased to announce that Elaine White has been named the organization’s new Read More
Dea Jones | Read Exodus 17:1-7
Imagine the scene. The Israelites were frightened, angry, and desperately thirsty. It would be easy to dismiss their wailing as mere complaint, but on closer inspection, it becomes clear that this is more than complaining. The people had forgotten that God was with them and had been with them every...
Gracious God, thank you for providing for my every need, even when I lose faith in your ability to do so. Amen.
The passages this week share a theme of conflict among God’s faithful people. The passages from Exodus and Psalms remind us of when God provided water from a solid rock at a time when the people were rebelling against their spiritual leaders. Both detail God’s dramatic response, reminding the people of God’s authority over everything. To the Philippians, Paul stresses the avoidance of conflict, using a hymn recalling the authority of Christ as God’s beloved son. Matthew tells about Jesus’ conflict with the religious leaders of the Temple. They questioned his authority, but he turned their questions back on them, indicting them for their hypocrisy. In all these passages, we are reminded that God is the ultimate authority who loves us even when we are rebellious.
Read Exodus 17:1-7. Where did you see God at work in the outcome of conflict?
Read Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16. Reflect on your best teachers. How did they convey important lessons about faith to you? How has your perspective changed about those lessons?
Read Philippians 2:1-13. What are some of the characteristics that make cohesiveness possible? How does your faith inform your practice when working with others?
Read Matthew 21:23-32. Have you ever questioned the words and/or actions of someone in authority? How does understanding God’s ultimate authority help you discern the right and wrong of those situations?
Respond by posting a prayer.
