Strength, Humility, Holiness, and Hope: A Devotional on Today’s Readings

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A reflection by Roy Pearson

Psalm 18 • Isaiah 2:12–22 • 1 Thessalonians 3:1–13 • Luke 20:27–40

Today’s readings draw us into a sweeping vision—from God’s mighty deliverance to His purifying judgment, from the tenderness of Christian love to the promise of the resurrection. Together they remind us who God is, who we are called to be, and where our hope ultimately rests.

Psalm 18 — The God Who Saves and Strengthens

Psalm 18 is David’s long, triumphant song of deliverance. God is portrayed as rock, fortress, shield, stronghold—the One who hears our cries and comes to our rescue with power that shakes the earth.

But David also emphasizes a life aligned with God’s ways:

“He rewarded me according to my righteousness.”

David is not claiming perfection; he is affirming faithfulness. God strengthens those who walk in His light.

Application Today:
We live in a world filled with anxiety, violence, and uncertainty. Psalm 18 invites us to remember that God is our stability. The path forward is not through self-reliance but by trusting God as our fortress and shaping our lives around His ways. Strength comes from surrender.

Isaiah 2:12–22 — When Human Pride Falls

Isaiah warns that “the day of the Lord” will expose and bring low all human pride, all the idols and false securities people cling to. The imagery is striking: lofty mountains, tall cedars, and fortified towers—all symbols of human self-confidence—are humbled before the glory of God.

Application Today:
We are tempted to think our systems, wealth, technology, or personal achievements make us secure. Isaiah reminds us that anything we elevate above God becomes an idol. In our age of self-promotion and constant digital mirrors, Isaiah calls us to humility. God alone is worthy of trust, honor, and reverence.

1 Thessalonians 3:1–13 — Love That Strengthens and Sustains

Paul writes with tender concern for the Thessalonian believers. He longs to see them, prays for their protection, and asks God to make their love “increase and abound for one another.” Paul sees love not as a soft sentiment but as the very thing that strengthens hearts in holiness.

Application Today:
Christian community is not built on convenience or casual association—it is built on prayer, sacrifice, encouragement, and love. In a time when loneliness is widespread and relationships often fragile, Paul calls the church to deep, persistent love that builds one another up and makes holiness possible. We grow strong when we grow together.

Luke 20:27–40 — God of the Living

The Sadducees question Jesus about the resurrection, trying to trap Him with a hypothetical puzzle. Jesus responds by revealing that the resurrection life is not merely an extension of earthly life—it is a new reality where death has no power. God is “not God of the dead, but of the living.”

Application Today:
Many people today live as though this world is all there is. Jesus teaches us to see life through the lens of eternity. Resurrection hope reshapes our priorities, our ethics, and our courage. When we know death does not have the final word, we are free to live faithfully without fear.

Bringing It All Together

These four passages weave a unified message:

  • God is our strength and salvation (Psalm 18).
  • Human pride collapses before God’s holiness (Isaiah 2).
  • Love and holiness sustain the Christian life (1 Thessalonians 3).
  • The hope of resurrection gives us perspective and peace (Luke 20).

In a world shaken by conflict, division, and uncertainty, the Word calls us to:

Stand in God’s strength.
Walk in humility.
Love one another deeply.
Live with resurrection hope.

May these truths shape us today as we seek to follow the Lord who is our rock, our joy, and our life.

Many Ways to Worship the One God

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A Reflection by Roy Pearson

One of the gifts of the Christian faith is its beautiful variety. Across centuries and cultures, believers have found countless ways to worship the God who created us, redeems us, and sustains us. Some traditions offer written prayers, icons, and a rich liturgy; others prefer spontaneous praise, simple gatherings, and a focus on preaching. Some view the Lord’s Supper as a memorial, while others receive it as the Eucharist—the Holy Mystery of Christ’s presence. All of these streams seek the same Source.

I have worshiped in both liturgical and non-liturgical settings, and over the years I have come to treasure the depth and discipline that liturgical worship brings into my life. The Daily Office guides me into the presence of God through the Psalms, the Old and New Testament readings, and the Gospel. It invites me to sit with Scripture long enough for it to seep into my heart and challenge my understanding. The rhythm of prayer shapes my days and anchors my spirit.

Each Sunday, the Eucharist draws me to Christ in a profound way. There is a mystery at that table—an encounter with the living Christ who dwells in me through the Holy Spirit. I cannot fully explain it, but I know that in bread and wine I meet grace, nourishment, and renewal.

I also love the beauty of the liturgical year: the colors, the symbols, the intentional shifts in focus. In Advent, I remember the Christ who came as a baby in Bethlehem, the Christ who comes to us daily, and the Christ who will come again as King. The seasons invite me to walk with Jesus through His story so that His story shapes mine.

Liturgical worship may not be for everyone, and that is perfectly alright. God meets His people in many ways. What matters most is not the form but the transformation. For me, liturgy has cultivated a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Studying the saints across two thousand years has reminded me that we walk a well-trodden path, supported by the witness of those who faithfully followed Christ before us.

Whatever our tradition—formal or informal, ancient or contemporary—may we remember the greatest commandments: to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. May we honor one another’s worship rather than condemn it, celebrating the diverse ways God draws His people into communion with Him.

In the end, all our worship—however different—rises to the same God. And in that unity, we find grace.

Longing, Light, Integrity, and Allegiance: A Reflection on Today’s Readings

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A Reflection by Roy Pearson

Psalm 63:1–8 — A Thirst Only God Can Satisfy

The psalmist cries, “My soul thirsts for you… my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” This is the language of someone who knows that nothing—not success, not comfort, not human affirmation—can quench the deepest hungers of the soul except the living God.

Meaning:
David expresses a profound desire for God’s presence. His trust is so deep that he clings to God even in wilderness seasons, confident that God’s “right hand upholds” him.

Application today:
We live in a “dry and weary land” of distraction, overwork, political anxiety, and spiritual fatigue. Psalm 63 reminds us that our deepest need is not more control, more certainty, or more noise—but more of God. Cultivating desire for God, even when life feels barren, becomes an act of faith that reorders our priorities and brings peace.

Isaiah 2:1–11 — God’s Mountain and Human Pride

Isaiah offers a breathtaking vision: all nations streaming to the mountain of the Lord, where swords become plowshares and people learn war no more. Yet the passage quickly turns into a rebuke against human pride: “The haughty looks of people shall be brought low.”

Meaning:
Isaiah contrasts God’s coming reign of peace with humanity’s inflated trust in its own strength, wealth, and idols. The way of peace is God’s; the way of pride leads only to collapse.

Application today:
We too live in a world convinced that technology, nationalism, wealth, or political power can save us. Isaiah calls us back to God’s mountain—back to humility, justice, and a peace that cannot be engineered by force. It challenges us personally: What idols do we trust more than God? What forms of pride keep us from the way of peace?

This is a call to repentance and a return to God’s path.

1 Thessalonians 2:13–20 — The Power of God’s Word and the Joy of Community

Paul rejoices that the Thessalonians received the gospel “not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word,” at work within believers. He speaks of them as his hope, joy, and crown.

Meaning:
Paul reminds the church that Scripture and the message of Christ are living, active, and transformative. He also shows that Christian leadership and community are rooted in love—not in hierarchy or control.

Application today:
In an age of cynicism and information overload, we may forget that God’s Word is alive. When we read Scripture, we are not engaging an artifact—we are welcoming God’s voice. Paul also reminds us that faith is lived in community. We need one another to grow, endure hardship, and experience joy. The church is not a building but a people God holds close.

Luke 20:19–26 — Giving to Caesar and Giving to God

The religious leaders try to trap Jesus with a political question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus’ response—“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s”—confounds them.

Meaning:
Jesus refuses political manipulation. Instead, He makes a profound claim: Caesar’s image is on the coin, so give the coin to Caesar—but God’s image is on you, so give yourself to God.

Application today:
In a time of intense political polarization, Jesus’ words remind us that our allegiance to God transcends every political identity. We fulfill our civic responsibilities, but we do not give our hearts, our hope, or our identity to earthly powers. Our ultimate loyalty belongs to the One whose image we bear.

This is a call to integrity, discernment, and spiritual clarity in confusing times.

Conclusion: A Path for Today

Today’s readings create a powerful sequence:

  • Psalm 63 teaches us longing.
  • Isaiah 2 teaches us humility and repentance.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2 teaches us encouragement and the life of community.
  • Luke 20 teaches us allegiance to God above all else.

Together they invite us to be a people who thirst for God, walk humbly, listen faithfully, and live with undivided hearts.

May these Scriptures steady us, challenge us, and draw us deeper into the way of Christ in our own complicated age.

Advent: A Season of Longing, Light, and the Kingdom Within

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A Reflection by Roy Pearson

Advent invites us into a sacred pause—an opportunity to step back from the rush of the world and step into the gentle rhythm of God’s kingdom. It is a season rooted in longing, illuminated by hope, and anchored in the promise that Christ not only came once in Bethlehem, and will come again in glory, but also desires to come here and now—into our hearts, our lives, and our daily choices.

The Three Comings of Christ

The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” Traditionally, the Church remembers three movements of Christ’s coming during this season:

1. Christ Coming in History

We celebrate the miracle of Bethlehem: God entering our world as a baby, choosing humility, vulnerability, and love. Jesus did not come to impress the powerful; He came to lift up the lowly, heal the broken, and proclaim the kingdom of God in a new way. His birth is the beginning of God’s reign breaking into the world.

2. Christ Coming in Our Hearts (the heart of Advent)

This is the coming that shapes our daily lives. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.” Advent reminds us that God’s reign is not just a distant hope but a present reality—alive in every heart that welcomes Christ.

This coming challenges us to live as people transformed by grace:

  • To be the salt of the earth—bringing flavor, preservation, and goodness to the world.
  • To be the light of the world—shining with compassion, truth, and justice.
  • To take up our cross daily—choosing the way of love, forgiveness, and humility.
  • To bear the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

When Christ rules in our hearts, His kingdom becomes visible through our lives. Advent becomes not only a season of waiting, but a season of becoming—becoming the people God created us to be.

3. Christ Coming in Glory

We also look forward to the promised return of Christ, when all will be made new and God’s kingdom will be fully realized. This hope anchors us when the world feels heavy. But Advent reminds us that the best way to prepare for Christ’s future coming is to let Him rule our hearts today.

Advent and the Kingdom Now

For many, Advent is associated with waiting for what God will do. But you remind us of an essential truth: Advent is also a time to celebrate what God is doing right now.

  • When we forgive someone, the kingdom is here.
  • When we carry someone’s burden, the kingdom is here.
  • When we feed the hungry, encourage the lonely, speak truth in love, or live with quiet courage, the kingdom is here.
  • When the fruits of the Spirit grow within us, the kingdom is alive in us.

Christ came once in the flesh so He could come now in our hearts.

Becoming Light in the Darkness

Each Advent candle we light is not just a symbol of Christ’s light—it is a call to shine that same light in a darkened world. In a season filled with noise, we are invited to listen for Christ’s voice. In a world full of hurry, we are invited to slow down and notice His presence. In a world divided, we are invited to embody His peace.

A Prayer for this Advent

Lord Jesus,
as You once came to us in Bethlehem,
come now and reign in our hearts.
Let Your kingdom take root in our thoughts,
our words, and our daily actions.
Make us salt in a broken world
and light in a darkened one.
As we await Your coming in glory,
may Your Spirit produce in us
the fruits that reflect Your heart.
Come, Lord Jesus—
come and make all things new,
starting with us.
Amen.

Grace, Truth, and Restoration: What Paul Teaches in 1 Timothy and Galatians

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We hear leaders condemn those whom they don’t like in degrading terms and echoes of calling for those whom they see as enemies to be executed. Sadly, the church has not always practiced the fruits of God’s Spirit: love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, patience, and self-control. Church leaders often approve of such actions. Listen to Paul.

The apostle Paul often wrote with a pastor’s heart, urging the early church to live with integrity, humility, and mutual care. Two of his statements—one from 1 Timothy 1:19–20 and the other from Galatians 6:1–2—seem, at first glance, to point in different directions. One speaks of “turning someone over to Satan,” while the other calls believers to restore one another “in a spirit of gentleness.” But read together, these passages reveal a balanced and deeply compassionate vision of Christian accountability.

Shipwrecked Faith: Paul’s Warning in 1 Timothy

In 1 Timothy 1:19–20, Paul warns that some in the church have “rejected conscience” and thus “suffered shipwreck in the faith.” He names Hymenaeus and Alexander as examples—men whose persistent refusal to listen, course-correct, or walk truthfully had begun damaging both themselves and the community.

When Paul says he “turned them over to Satan,” he is not speaking of condemnation or personal hostility. Instead, he refers to a form of church discipline:

  • Removing someone from spiritual leadership or fellowship
  • Allowing them to face the natural consequences of their actions
  • Hoping that, through hardship, humility will awaken repentance

The purpose is redemptive, not punitive. Paul adds, “so that they may learn not to blaspheme.” Even discipline is rooted in a desire for restoration.

Gentle Restoration: Paul’s Call in Galatians

In Galatians 6:1–2, Paul speaks to a very different situation:

“If anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.”

Here Paul describes someone who has stumbled into sin, not hardened their heart against God or the community. To such a person:

  • We offer compassion
  • We guide with humility
  • We avoid judgmentalism
  • We “bear one another’s burdens”

This is pastoral care at its most tender. We do not shame the fallen—we lift them up. We restore, we strengthen, and we protect one another with patient love.

Holding the Two Together

Paul is not contradicting himself. He is addressing two different conditions of the heart:

When someone is humbled and willing to changeWhen someone is harming others and refuses correction
Gentle restorationFirm boundaries and consequences
Bearing burdens togetherProtecting the community’s well-being
Compassionate guidanceLoving accountability
HealingCorrection leading to repentance

In both cases, the goal is the same: the healing of the individual and the health of the community.

These passages together offer a full picture of Christian love—rooted in grace, but never blind to truth.

How This Speaks to Our Day

Paul’s wisdom is not limited to the first-century church. In a time when relationships fracture easily, churches struggle with conflict, and forgiveness often feels costly, these passages speak with stunning clarity.

1. Guarding Our Conscience Matters

A healthy spiritual life requires integrity. When we ignore our conscience—when we justify what we know to be wrong—we begin drifting toward our own “shipwreck.”

2. Gentle Restoration Is a Mark of Mature Faith

We live in a culture of outrage and quick condemnation. Paul calls us instead to gentleness:

  • Listening before judging
  • Encouraging rather than shaming
  • Helping others stand when they fall

This is the law of Christ lived out in community.

3. Boundaries Are Sometimes Necessary

Restoring someone in gentleness does not mean tolerating ongoing harm. There are times when:

  • Consequences must be allowed
  • Distance is necessary
  • Leadership must act firmly
  • Patterns of destruction must be named

Boundaries, when set prayerfully and truthfully, are a form of love.

4. Our Goal Is Always Redemption, Never Revenge

Paul’s approach is pastoral, not punitive. Whether we apply gentle restoration or firm discipline, the end goal is always:

  • Healing
  • Growth
  • Repentance
  • Reconciliation where possible

We correct not to crush, but to restore.

5. We Walk Humbly, Knowing We Too Can Fall

Paul warns: “Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.”
We restore others with humility because none of us stands by our own strength. Every one of us depends on grace.

Conclusion: Grace and Truth Working Together

These passages remind us that the church—and all Christian relationships—must be shaped by a balance of grace and truth.

For the willing and broken: gentleness, compassion, and shared burdens.
For the hardened and resistant: loving boundaries, honest correction, and space for repentance.

Both paths lead toward one destination:
the restoration of the person, the protection of the community, and the glory of God.

May God forgive us when we do not seek to restore those who fall!

Looking Up for Help: A Daily Office Reflection on Trust, Faithfulness, and True Vision

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A Reflection by Roy Pearson

Some days the appointed Scriptures speak directly into the tension of our world—the uncertainty, the spiritual confusion, the longing for leadership, and the desire to see God clearly. Today’s readings—Psalm 121, Zechariah 11:4-17, 1 Corinthians 3:10-23, and Luke 18:31-43—tie together with a common thread: Where do we look for help, and whom do we trust to guide us?

Psalm 121 – Looking Up for Our Help

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD…”

Psalm 121 is a pilgrim song, prayed by travelers on their way to Jerusalem. The hills surrounding the city reminded them of danger—bandits, steep cliffs, uncertainty—but also reminded them of God’s protection.

The psalmist declares confidently that God watches over our coming and going—not just in moments of crisis but in the ordinary rhythms of life.

Today, this psalm calls us to remember:

  • Our help doesn’t come from governments, leaders, wealth, or our own strength.
  • God is awake when we are tired.
  • God keeps us when the world feels unstable.
  • Our steps—even our missteps—are known by Him.

In an age of anxiety, Psalm 121 re-centers our vision: Look up. God is our keeper.

Zechariah 11:4-17 – A Warning About Failed Shepherds

Zechariah’s prophecy is troubling and raw. God instructs the prophet to act out the role of a shepherd over a doomed flock—one abandoned by its leaders, exploited by those in power, and eventually given over to a “worthless shepherd” who cares nothing for the flock.

It speaks of leadership gone wrong:

  • Shepherds who feed themselves instead of the sheep
  • Leaders who use people rather than serving them
  • Spiritual authorities who abandon compassion and justice

This ancient warning is painfully relevant. In our day we see:

  • Leaders who seek power without responsibility
  • Churches and institutions fractured by self-interest
  • People disillusioned by unfaithful shepherds

But Zechariah also reminds us: God sees. God judges unfaithful leadership. And God will ultimately place His true Shepherd—Christ—over His people.

1 Corinthians 3:10-23 – Building on the Right Foundation

Paul writes to a divided church. Arguments, rivalries, and spiritual one-upmanship were tearing the community apart. Paul reminds them that:

  • Christ is the only true foundation.
  • Everything we build—our ministries, churches, relationships, and efforts—will be tested by fire.
  • We are God’s temple, and His Spirit dwells in us.
  • No Christian belongs to a faction, a leader, or a personality. We belong to Christ.

In a world obsessed with celebrity culture, tribalism, and “my group vs. your group,” Paul calls us back to humility:

Don’t boast in human leaders. Don’t divide. Don’t build with straw.
Build with love, truth, holiness, and humility.

If Christ is the foundation, what we build will last.

Luke 18:31-43 – The Cross and Clear Vision

Jesus tells His disciples that He will be handed over, mocked, abused, killed—and will rise again. But Luke says, “They understood none of these things.” They could not yet see.

Then immediately Luke gives us the healing of a blind man. While the disciples had physical sight but spiritual confusion, the blind man had no eyesight but perfect clarity about who Jesus truly was:

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And Jesus restored his sight—not just physically but spiritually.

Today this passage invites us to ask:

  • Are there things God is trying to show us that we “do not understand”?
  • Do we need the same humble cry: “Lord, let me see again”?
  • Are we willing to follow Jesus on the road that leads through the cross before it leads to glory?

Faith begins with seeing Jesus clearly and trusting His path, even when it leads through sacrifice.

Bringing It All Together: A Word for Today

These four Scriptures give us a layered, timely message:

1. Look to God for help (Psalm 121).

An anxious world needs a God who neither sleeps nor falters.

2. Discern faithfulness in leadership (Zechariah 11).

Not all shepherds reflect God’s heart. Stay alert. Seek leaders who serve with compassion, integrity, and courage.

3. Build on the right foundation (1 Corinthians 3).

Christ—not politics, personalities, or preferences—is the central, unshakable ground of our faith.

4. Ask for true vision (Luke 18).

We often think we see clearly, but only Christ gives true sight. We must ask Him to reveal what we miss.

A Final Reflection

In these passages God meets us in our uncertainty, warns us against misplaced trust, calls us to build our lives with eternal materials, and invites us to see with clarity the One who walks toward the cross for our salvation.

Wherever you find yourself today—confused, burdened, uncertain, or hopeful—lift your eyes.
Christ is your Shepherd, your Foundation, and the One who restores your sight.

When God Remembers Us: A Daily Office Reflection on Mercy, Restoration, and Faithful Living

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A Reflection by Roy Pearson

Today’s readings from the Daily Office—Psalm 106, Zechariah 10:1–12, Galatians 6:1–10, and Luke 18:15–30—invite us into a sweeping story: a God who remembers His people, restores what is broken, calls us to do good, and asks us to trust Him above everything else.
Together they form a tapestry of mercy, responsibility, and hope that speaks directly to our world today.

Psalm 106 — Remembering God’s Faithfulness in an Unfaithful World

Psalm 106 is both confession and praise. The psalmist recounts Israel’s repeated failures—forgetfulness, idolatry, rebellion—yet marvels at God’s steadfast love that never lets them go.
The heart-cry of the psalm is this simple prayer: “Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people.”

Meaning:
The psalm reveals a God who is faithful even when we are not. Israel’s story becomes our story. We wander. We forget. Yet God’s mercy remains.

Application for today:
In a world that often feels anxious, polarized, or spiritually distracted, Psalm 106 invites us to honest confession and renewed trust. We are reminded that God’s covenant love is bigger than our failures.
It encourages us to return—again and again—to a God who remembers us even when we forget Him.

Zechariah 10:1–12 — God Gathers, Restores, and Strengthens His People

Zechariah paints a picture of a God who brings rain to dry places, confronts false shepherds, and gathers His scattered people. He promises restoration, strength, and a renewed identity: “They shall be like mighty warriors.”

Meaning:
This prophecy speaks to God’s desire to restore His people—to bring them home, strengthen what is weak, and lead them in truth. It’s a vision of hope after exile, of God renewing His people from the inside out.

Application for today:
Many today feel exiled in different ways—isolated, weary, spiritually dry. Zechariah reminds us that God still gathers the scattered, heals what is broken, and leads His people into newness.
His restoration is not merely emotional; it is communal, moral, and spiritual.
Wherever there is fragmentation, God is working to bring wholeness.

Galatians 6:1–10 — The Call to Carry One Another’s Burdens

Paul turns our attention from God’s restoration to our role in the restoration of others. He calls believers to gentleness, mutual responsibility, humility, and perseverance in doing good.

Meaning:
The Christian life is never a solo endeavor. We restore the fallen gently. We bear one another’s burdens. We sow seeds—kindness, generosity, faithfulness—and trust God with the harvest.

Application for today:
In a culture shaped by individualism, Galatians 6 calls us back to the radical communal ethic of the Gospel.
We are responsible for one another, not merely to one another.
Every act of kindness, every moment of patience, every decision to forgive becomes a seed sown into God’s field.
Paul’s encouragement is as urgent now as it was then: “Do not grow weary in doing good.”

Luke 18:15–30 — Receiving the Kingdom Like a Child

Jesus welcomes children—the least powerful, least noticed, least valued in society—and declares that the kingdom belongs to such as these. Then He confronts the rich ruler, exposing how wealth, security, and self-reliance can keep a heart from fully trusting God.

Meaning:
This passage contrasts childlike dependence with adult self-sufficiency. The kingdom is received, not achieved.
The rich ruler’s problem wasn’t possession—it was attachment.

Application for today:
Whether our “wealth” is money, reputation, control, or self-reliance, Jesus invites us to loosen our grip.
The call to follow Him is still a call to trust—simple, surrendered, childlike trust.
This is a word we desperately need in a culture built on striving, achievement, and accumulation.

A Unified Message for Today

Taken together, these readings create a clear and compelling summons:

Trust God’s mercy.
Receive His restoration.
Carry one another’s burdens.
Follow Christ with an uncluttered heart.

We live in a world that often forgets God, fractures people, glorifies independence, and clings to possessions.

Today’s readings invite us to live differently:

  • with humble honesty about our failures,
  • with hope in God’s restoring power,
  • with compassion for one another,
  • and with childlike trust in the God who calls us to follow Him.

May we let these truths shape our lives, our communities, and our witness in a weary world.

Spiritual Friendship in a Fractured World: Lessons from Aelred of Rievaulx

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A Reflection by Roy Pearson

This summer, our church reviewed the lives of those who have lived before us as followers of Jesus. We studied some “saints” of the church that we may not remember, like Aelred of Rievaulx. I just read Aelred’s most famous treatise on “Spiritual Friendship”.

n the twelfth century, Aelred of Rievaulx—an English Cistercian monk—wrote a small but enduring work titled Spiritual Friendship. Though centuries old, Aelred’s reflections speak with surprising clarity to the relational hunger, loneliness, and uncertainty that define much of modern life. In a world flooded with social media connections yet starved for genuine companionship, Aelred offers a compelling vision of friendship as a place where God’s love becomes visible.

1. Friendship as a Sacred Calling

Aelred begins with a bold claim: “Here we are, you and I, and I hope that Christ makes a third.”
For Aelred, friendship is not merely a social arrangement or emotional bond—it is a spiritual vocation. When two people intentionally seek the good in one another, Christ is present in their midst.

Today’s Application:
Our culture often treats relationships as transactional or optional. Aelred reminds us that friendship can be holy ground—a place where God shapes us, heals us, and reveals His character. Investing deeply in a few chosen relationships is not selfish or indulgent; it is part of the Christian life.

2. The Difference Between True and False Friendship

Aelred distinguishes “carnal,” “worldly,” and “spiritual” friendships—the first two based on temporary interests, utility, or pleasure, and the last grounded in virtue, honesty, and mutual care. Spiritual friendship is not about what we get, but about the flourishing of the other.

Today’s Application:
In an age of consumer relationships, ghosting, and algorithm-driven interactions, Aelred calls us back to authenticity. Real friends tell the truth in love, remain loyal in hardship, and help one another become more whole. We need friends who call forth our best selves, not simply affirm our impulses.

3. Friendship Requires Discernment

Aelred teaches that spiritual friendship should grow slowly, intentionally, and with wisdom. Trust should be built gradually, rooted in observation of a person’s character, humility, and stability.

Today’s Application:
This speaks powerfully into a world where relationships ignite quickly and break even faster. We often confuse emotional intensity with intimacy. Aelred invites us to pause, observe, and form friendships with discernment. Healthy boundaries and thoughtful pace are not barriers to love—they are its protectors.

4. Vulnerability and Honesty as Pathways to Healing

For Aelred, a true friend becomes a “medicine for life.” Trust, confession, and transparency allow wounds to be exposed and healed. In spiritual friendship, we are known—not merely seen.

Today’s Application:
Loneliness is at epidemic levels, even in crowded places. Many people long for someone they can tell the truth to without fear. Aelred reminds us that friendship thrives where vulnerability is honored. We need companions who allow us to be imperfect and who walk with us toward healing.

5. Friendship as Participation in God’s Love

Ultimately, Aelred sees friendship as a reflection of God Himself—Father, Son, and Spirit—a communion of shared love. Spiritual friendship is not an escape from the world but a witness to what the world can become.

Today’s Application:
In a polarized, suspicious, and divided society, friendship becomes radical discipleship. When Christians practice genuine spiritual friendship—with listening ears, faithful presence, mutual respect, and compassion—they offer an alternative to the hostility that surrounds us.

6. A Call to Build Communities of Friendship

Aelred believed that monasteries—and by extension, Christian communities—should be schools of friendship. People learn how to love by being loved.

Today’s Application:
Churches, small groups, and spiritual communities often speak of fellowship, but many people still feel unseen. Aelred challenges us to create intentional spaces where deep, trustworthy relationships can grow—places where people experience belonging, safety, and God’s tenderness.

Conclusion: A Vision for Today

From an ancient monastery comes a message our world desperately needs: friendship is one of God’s gifts for transforming the human heart. In a time marked by isolation, fear, and division, Aelred of Rievaulx offers a hopeful vision.

We are not meant to walk alone.
We are meant to seek God together.
And in the presence of a true friend, we catch a glimpse of God’s love on earth.

The King Who Comes in Humility: A Devotional on Psalm 118, Zechariah 9:9–16, 1 Peter 3:13–22, and Matthew 21:1–13

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A Reflection by Roy Pearson

Every so often the Daily Office readings weave together themes that speak with remarkable clarity into our moment. Today’s passages—Psalm 118, Zechariah 9, 1 Peter 3, and Matthew 21—lift up a single, radiant truth: God’s salvation comes to us through a humble, righteous King whose way is peace, courage, and faithful love.

We are invited not only to behold this King, but to let His manner of ruling reshape our hearts in a world full of fear, conflict, and spiritual distraction.

The God Who Meets Us in Distress (Psalm 118)

Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving from someone who has been pressed on every side. Enemies surround, fears threaten, and yet the psalmist declares:

“His steadfast love endures forever.”

This is not sentimental optimism—it is trust forged in suffering.
The psalm celebrates a God who hears, rescues, and sets His people in a spacious place. The psalmist proclaims that God often works through the rejected and overlooked:

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

In a world that prizes strength, visibility, and dominance, Psalm 118 reminds us that God delights to lift up what the world dismisses. His salvation often comes in ways we least expect.

The King Who Brings Peace (Zechariah 9:9–16)

Zechariah speaks to a worn-down people longing for freedom and stability. Into their uncertainty comes a prophetic vision:

“Behold, your king comes to you;
humble and riding on a donkey.”

This King will not conquer through force or intimidation. He brings peace to the nations and freedom to prisoners. He gathers His people and makes them shine like jewels in a crown.

This prophetic picture points directly to Jesus—and offers a stark contrast to the power structures of our day.
True authority is humble. True peace is given, not imposed. True salvation is rooted in God’s covenant love.

Courage When Doing Good Comes at a Cost (1 Peter 3:13–22)

Peter writes to believers who face misunderstanding and hostility. He doesn’t promise an easy path. Instead, he says:

“Even if you suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed.”

Peter reminds us to:

  • Honor Christ as Lord in our hearts.
  • Be ready to give an answer for our hope.
  • Speak with gentleness and reverence.
  • Keep a clear conscience.

In an anxious and polarized world, 1 Peter calls us not to fear—but to live courageously, speak wisely, and endure faithfully, knowing that Christ Himself has walked this road and now reigns in victory.

The King Enters and Cleanses (Matthew 21:1–13)

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus fulfills Zechariah’s prophecy as He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds shout Psalm 118:

“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

But Jesus does not simply receive their praise—He goes straight to the temple and confronts the corruption within it.
He overturns tables, drives out exploitation, and declares:

“My house shall be called a house of prayer.”

Whenever Jesus draws near, He brings both comfort and cleansing.
He comes to save, but He also comes to set things right—beginning with the heart.

One Message, Four Voices

Taken together, today’s readings offer a unified and timely word:

God’s King comes in humility, not force.

He enters gently, listens deeply, and rules in peace.

God’s salvation lifts the rejected and restores the broken.

The cornerstone is rejected before it is exalted.

God’s people are called to courage, purity, and trust.

We are to answer hostility with gentleness, suffering with faith, worship with sincerity.

God’s presence still confronts what distorts our hearts.

Wherever Jesus is welcomed, He brings cleansing and renewal.

A Word for Today

We live in a world strained by conflict, fear, and noise. Power is often loud, and righteousness can feel fragile. But these Scriptures remind us:

Christ rules in humility.
Christ brings peace.
Christ walks with those who suffer for good.
Christ cleanses His temple—especially the temple of the heart.

As we welcome Him—again and again—may our lives become houses of prayer, places where His peace, courage, and steadfast love can be seen.

Hosanna.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.

When God Seems Silent: A Devotional from Psalm 102, Malachi 3:1–12, James 5:7–12, and Luke 18:1–8

The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

A reflection by Roy Pearson

There are days when our hearts feel worn thin, when prayer feels heavy, and when we wonder if God hears us at all. The Daily Office readings for today speak directly into those seasons. Each passage—though written in a different time and setting—carries a single thread: God sees, God purifies, God provides, and God answers.

When the Soul Is Overwhelmed — Psalm 102

Psalm 102 is one of the rawest prayers in Scripture. The psalmist feels weak, alone, and forgotten. His days feel like smoke, his strength has evaporated, and his enemies seem to have the upper hand.

Yet this broken man proclaims a truth that anchors him:
“But You, O Lord, are enthroned forever.”

When life feels unstable, God is not. When our emotions are scattered, God is steady. Psalm 102 reminds us that it is not unspiritual to feel overwhelmed. God invites honesty. He meets us in the ashes and begins His work of renewal right there.

When God Purifies Our Hearts — Malachi 3:1–12

Malachi announces that God is coming not only to comfort but to cleanse. He speaks of a refining fire—a process that removes what does not belong so that His people can reflect His character.

Refining isn’t comfortable. It exposes motives, habits, and fears. But purification is God’s mercy at work.

Malachi also confronts an issue of trust: Israel had been holding back from God, withholding tithes and offerings. They gave cautiously because they were afraid they wouldn’t have enough.

And God responds:
“Test Me… see if I will not open the windows of heaven.”

This isn’t a prosperity promise—it’s a heart promise. Generosity flows from trust. When we give God our resources, our schedules, our obedience, and our fears, we discover He truly is the Provider.

When Waiting Seems Endless — James 5:7–12

James turns our attention to patience. He compares the spiritual life to a farmer working the soil—planting, waiting, watching the sky for rain.

Growth happens slowly. Seasons of faith often unfold at a pace that frustrates us.

James urges us:

  • Do not grumble.
  • Do not give up.
  • Let your words and your life be steady and trustworthy.

In a world of shortcuts and quick fixes, James reminds us that God shapes character in the slow and sacred work of patience.

When Prayer Feels Like a Burden — Luke 18:1–8

Jesus tells a story about a widow with no influence and no protector. She goes before an unjust judge and refuses to stop pleading. Her persistence eventually moves a man who had no compassion.

Jesus’ point is striking:
If persistence can move an unjust judge, how much more will it move the heart of a loving God?

God is not slow. He is not indifferent. Every prayer you pray is received by a Father who cares deeply.
The real question Jesus asks is this:
“When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

Faith persists. Faith keeps praying. Faith trusts even when nothing seems to change.

A Word for Today

These Scriptures, woven together, offer a message of hope:

  • God hears the crushed in spirit (Psalm 102).
  • God is refining your life and shaping your heart (Malachi 3).
  • God is growing something in you that takes time (James 5).
  • God honors persistent, trusting prayer (Luke 18).

If you are waiting, hurting, questioning, or praying through tears, you are not forgotten. You are being formed. You are being strengthened. And the God who sees your heart will answer in His perfect time.

A Closing Prayer

Lord, when my spirit feels overwhelmed, remind me that You remain enthroned forever. Purify my heart, cleanse my motives, and teach me to trust You with my whole life. Give me the patience of a farmer and the persistence of the widow who refused to give up. Strengthen my faith to believe that You hear every prayer and that You are working even when I cannot see it. Amen.