Listen

Lord, teach me what your statutes are about, and I will guard every part of them. Help me understand so I can guard your Instruction and keep it with all my heart. Lead me on the trail of your commandments because that is what I want. Turn my heart to your laws, not to greedy gain. Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Make me live by your way.

Psalm 119:33-37

Think

Sometimes reading the Bible is confusing. There’s a law about cutting hair right next to a law forbidding tattoos (Leviticus 19:27-28). Later on, in Mark 7:15, Jesus talks about how nothing outside of a person defiles them. How can we know what God still expects from us when some of it makes no sense? Just like the ancient Israelites, we sometimes don’t understand what God actually wants us to do.

Building a relationship with God through prayer and studying the Bible helps to make some of these crazy laws clear. Going to church and talking to trusted Christian leaders can also help us to make sense of what God desires from us. Take time throughout the day to listen for God and see where God is working in the lives around you. Like the ancient Israelites, focusing our hearts on serving God will lead us to trusting God even more.

Stacie Whalen

Pray

God of all wisdom, help me to better understand your ways. I know I don’t see things the way you do, but I want to be faithful and honor you in all I say and do. Amen.

Go

Go recognizing God’s image in yourself and others.

Stand up for what is right; live your life in a way pleasing to God.

Be kind to everyone and let your actions speak louder than your words.