The Second Week of March
We Read…
When was the last time you received a phone call? Maybe it was this morning, or perhaps if you’re like me, it’s been a while because you’d prefer to send a text! Now, think about the last time you called out to God. Were you calling out in distress, or were you calling out in praise? A theme for this week’s reading is calling out to God and knowing that God hears us. When the Israelites called out to God because they were stuck in slavery, God rescued them from Egypt. The psalmist assures us that God will answer and protect us. Romans tells us that everyone who calls on God will be saved! We don’t have to worry about God declining our call or blocking our number. We know with certainty that God hears us and is with us.
Deuteronomy 26:1–11
Once you have entered the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you take possession of it and are settled there, 2 take some of the early produce of the fertile ground that you have harvested from the land the Lord your God is giving you, and put it in a basket. Then go to the location the Lord your God selects for his name to reside. 3 Go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him: “I am declaring right now before the Lord my God that I have indeed arrived in the land the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.”
4 The priest will then take the basket from you and place it before the Lord your God’s altar. 5 Then you should solemnly state before the Lord your God:
“My father was a starving Aramean. He went down to Egypt, living as an immigrant there with few family members, but that is where he became a great nation, mighty and numerous. 6 The Egyptians treated us terribly, oppressing us and forcing hard labor on us. 7 So we cried out for help to the Lord, our ancestors’ God. The Lord heard our call. God saw our misery, our trouble, and our oppression. 8 The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, with awesome power, and with signs and wonders. 9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land—a land full of milk and honey. 10 So now I am bringing the early produce of the fertile ground that you, Lord, have given me.”
Set the produce before the Lord your God, bowing down before the Lord your God. 11 Then celebrate all the good things the Lord your God has done for you and your family—each one of you along with the Levites and the immigrants who are among you.
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
1 Living in the Most High’s shelter,
camping in the Almighty’s shade,
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my refuge,
my stronghold!
You are my God—the one I trust!”
Psalm 91:9–16
9 Because you’ve made the Lord
my refuge,
the Most High, your place of residence—
10 no evil will happen to you;
no disease will come close to your tent.
11 Because he will order his messengers
to help you,
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will carry you with their own hands
so you don’t bruise your foot on a stone.
13 You’ll march on top of lions and vipers;
you’ll trample young lions
and serpents underfoot.
14 God says,
“Because you are devoted to me,
I’ll rescue you.
I’ll protect you
because you know my name.
15 Whenever you cry out to me,
I’ll answer.
I’ll be with you in troubling times.
I’ll save you and glorify you.
16 I’ll fill you full with old age.
I’ll show you my salvation.”
Romans 10:8b-13
9 Because if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and in your heart you have faith that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 Trusting with the heart leads to righteousness, and confessing with the mouth leads to salvation. 11 The scripture says, All who have faith in him won’t be put to shame. 12 There is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord is Lord of all, who gives richly to all who call on him. 13 All who call on the Lord’s name will be saved.
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. 2 There he was tempted for forty days by the devil. He ate nothing during those days and afterward Jesus was starving. 3 The devil said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”
4 Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread.”
5 Next the devil led him to a high place and showed him in a single instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 The devil said, “I will give you this whole domain and the glory of all these kingdoms. It’s been entrusted to me and I can give it to anyone I want. 7 Therefore, if you will worship me, it will all be yours.”
8 Jesus answered, “It’s written, You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”
9 The devil brought him into Jerusalem and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down from here; 10 for it’s written: He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you 11 and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.”
12 Jesus answered, “It’s been said, Don’t test the Lord your God.” 13 After finishing every temptation, the devil departed from him until the next opportunity.
We Think…
What stands out to you in these verses? Does anything confuse you or not make sense?
How do these verses compare to your own experience in life or the church? What are you considering?
What questions come to mind?
Why does the author of Deuteronomy recall the Exodus story in this passage?
How does the Psalm passage reassure us that God hears us?
Why was Jesus tempted?
We Feel…
What emotions are you experiencing today? How are you making space for these feelings?
Where have you seen God today or this week? What is pointing you to God (maybe it is something in creation, a friend or adult that cares for you)?
What has God made new in your life? In your heart?
When can you tell that you have spent time with Jesus?
When have you experienced temptation? When have you experienced God’s deliverance/rescue?
We Believe…
Temptation isn’t sin. Being tempted to sin isn’t the same as actually choosing to disobey what God has asked of us. We see that even Jesus was tempted and that Jesus was without sin. But what matters is how we respond. Are we turning to God in these moments? Or are we trying to rely on our own strength? Are we believing the lies that we can do this life on our own and gain power on our own? Or are we being reminded that God is our center and our source of life? Just because you are tempted does not mean you are sinful; what matters is how you respond to this.
We Practice…
Practice giving back to God this week! The Israelites saw how God provided for them in the wilderness and chose to give back. What has God given you to share with your church or community? Maybe this is a physical resource like money, but maybe this is time or a talent. Has God given you a passion for something creative? Can you share that with someone else in your church? Has God given you a season of free evenings? Could you choose to spend one of those nights serving someone who needs it? Reflect on what you have and how you can share it with others right now.