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Covenant Meditations
By Abingdon Press Abingdon Press
Copyright © 2014 Abingdon Press
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4267-7221-4
CHAPTER 1
Genesis
World's creation
When God began to create the heavens and the earth—the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God's wind swept over the waters—God said, "Let there be light." And so light appeared. God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness. God named the light Day and the darkness Night.
There was evening and there was morning: the first day.
Genesis 1:1-5
Praying the word
Silently read the passage from Genesis, paying attention to each word and phrase. Pause for a moment of quiet, and then read it again, this time using your imagination about the appearance of light on the first day of creation. What color is the light? How does it appear? What does it reveal? Offer a prayer for a person or circumstance you know about where God's good light is needed this day.
Exodus
God's special name
But Moses said to God, "If I now come to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' they are going to ask me, 'What's this God's name?' What am I supposed to say to them?"
God said to Moses, "I Am Who I Am. So say to the Israelites, 'I Am has sent me to you.'"
Exodus 3:13-14
Praying the word
God's name is revealed to Moses. Throughout scripture, our God is a God of many names: I Am, Lord, Father (Abba), shepherd, Jesus Christ, Spirit, wind, savior, rock, and more. In different seasons and at different times, God meets us in our needs, where we are. What name for God speaks to you today? Take your time with this question. Once you have chosen one of God's names that has meaning for you, write a prayer to God using this name, and ask for what you need.
Leviticus
Living as though you belong to God
I will turn my face to you, will make you fruitful and numerous, and will keep my covenant with you. You will still be eating the previous year's harvest when the time will come to clear it out to make room for the new! I will place my dwelling among you, and I will not despise you. I will walk around among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt's land—who brought you out from being Egypt's slaves. I broke your bonds and made you stand up straight.
Leviticus 26:9-13
Praying the word
As you read this scripture from Leviticus, say it out loud as a confession of God's promised presence. Then read it again, and let this passage remind you of times when God rescued you from large and small captivities. Are there places in your life where God's face seems turned away from you? Where would you want to see God "walk around" in your life this week? Picture a place where you work or play, and imagine that you and all those around you are intensely aware of your status as children of God. What does it look like in your imagination for God to dwell among you?
Numbers
Blessings
The Lord bless you and protect you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Praying the word
Where in your life do you need peace? In a relationship, a situation at work, or a decision you must make? Read these verses from Numbers as a prayer for your life. Turn over to God whatever is holding you back from the peace God desires for you. Be specific with God. Spend some time in silence as you name your need and as you give God thanks for hearing your prayer.
Deuteronomy
The way to well-being
Know then today and keep in mind that the LORD is the only God in heaven above or on earth below. There is no other. Keep the Lord's regulations and his commandments. I'm commanding them to you today for your well-being and for the well-being of your children after you, so that you may extend your time on the fertile land that the Lord your God is giving you forever.
Deuteronomy 4:39-40
Praying the word
Slowly read these words from Deuteronomy. When you are finished, read them a second time, listening and watching for one phrase of scripture that catches your attention today. This may be two or three words or a whole sentence. Go back to that one phrase and repeat it several times in a prayerful manner. Ask, "God, what do you want me to hear?" Spend time with this question and with what comes to mind for you.
Joshua
Challenge to be faithful
So now, revere the Lord. Serve him honestly and faithfully. Put aside the gods that your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt and serve the Lord. But if it seems wrong in your opinion to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Choose the gods whom your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live. But my family and I will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:14-15
Praying the word
After reading these verses from Joshua, consider the "gods" in your life that distract you from placing God first. Don't rush past this question, but allow a time of prayerful confession to take shape from this text. We all serve other gods from day to day, but until we recognize and name them, we may be unable to make more room in our lives to serve the Lord our God. Pray that God may help you grow in faithfulness.
Judges
Now Deborah, a prophet
Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was a leader of Israel at that time. She would sit under Deborah's palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the Ephraim highlands, and the Israelites would come to her to settle disputes.
Judges 4:4-5
Praying the word
Who in your life or community is a wise person? Whom do you or others seek out for guidance, fairness, and reassurance? Have you had such people in your life before? What qualities and spiritual gifts did they offer? Create a prayer of gratitude for these people, giving God thanks for placing them on your path.
Ruth
Wherever you go
But Ruth replied [to Naomi], "Don't urge me to abandon you, to turn back from following after you. Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God."
Ruth 1:16
Praying the word
Reflect on this past week and on its events and activities. As you do, think of the people you spent time with. Allow time to recall each day, where you were, and who was with you. Now prayerfully consider who in these past days needed you to be with them. Whether this was for a few minutes or a few hours, whom did you spend time with this week who really needed you to be present with them? Remember how your presence was significant to that person, and thank God for allowing you to take that time for the ministry of presence. Hold that person in God's light for a few more moments.
1 Samuel
Samuel's call
A third time the Lord called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, "I'm here. You called me?"
Then Eli realized that it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So Eli said to Samuel, "Go and lie down. If he calls you, say, 'Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down where he'd been.
Then the Lord came and stood there, calling just as before, "Samuel, Samuel!"
Samuel said, "Speak. Your servant is listening."
1 Samuel 3:8-10
[Praying the word
Read through these verses about Samuel's call from God. It may be helpful to read it a few times, focusing on Samuel's phrase "Speak. Your servant is listening." Allow these words to become your breath prayer for this day. A breath prayer is simply a short prayer you can repeat off and on through the day; a prayer as close to you as breath; a prayer you can say with an inhale or an exhale; a prayer you can easily repeat over and over. "Speak. Your servant is listening. Speak. Your servant is listening." And then, quietly, listen for what God may be saying to you.
2 Samuel
My cry for help
[David] said:
The Lord is my solid rock, my fortress, my rescuer.
My God is my rock—I take refuge in him!—
he's my shield and my salvation's strength,
my place of safety and my shelter.
My savior! Save me from violence! ...
In my distress I cried out to the Lord;
I cried out to my God.
God heard my voice from his temple;
my cry for help reached his ears.
2 Samuel 22:2-3, 7
Praying the word
Allow these words from 2 Samuel to reinforce for you that God hears your cries. For what in your life do you need to cry out to God today? How do you need God's help? What weighs heavily on your spirit? Offer a prayer to God that gives voice to your cry, to your longing, and to any distress you may be carrying. Trust that God hears you.
1 Kings
The Lord is passing by.
The Lord said, "Go out and stand at the mountain before the Lord. The Lord is passing by." A very strong wind tore through the mountains and broke apart the stones before the Lord. But the Lord wasn't in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake. But the Lord wasn't in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire. But the Lord wasn't in the fire. After the fire, there was a sound. Thin. Quiet. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his coat. He went out and stood at the cave's entrance. A voice came to him and said, "Why are you here, Elijah?"
1 Kings 19:11-13
Praying the word
Before you read this passage from 1 Kings, take a few moments to settle into the place you will be for this prayer time. Get comfortable, make the space as quiet as you can, and take a few deep breaths as you prepare to read. When you feel ready, read these verses slowly and prayerfully, allowing your imagination to help you see and feel the scene. What does God's presence feel like for you? When have you felt the presence of God? Let your memories of these times become your prayer, and ask God to help you grow in attentiveness and awareness of the divine presence.
2 Kings
I won't leave you.
Now the Lord was going to take Elijah up to heaven in a windstorm, and Elijah and Elisha were leaving Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here, because the Lord has sent me to Bethel."
But Elisha said, "As the Lord lives and as you live, I won't leave you." So they went down to Bethel....
Elijah said, "Elisha, stay here, because the Lord has sent me to Jericho."
But Elisha said, "As the Lord lives and as you live, I won't leave you." So they went to Jericho....
Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here, because the Lord has sent me to the Jordan."
But Elisha said, "As the Lord lives and as you live, I won't leave you." So both of them went on together.
2 Kings 2:1-2, 4, 6
Praying the word
Read and reflect on these words about Elijah and Elisha, especially the words that Elisha repeats: "I won't leave you." Who in your life has been a constant, faithful presence, if only for a short season? How did that person let you know they were with you? Offer a prayer of gratitude for them. Now recall someone in your life for whom you have been a faithful presence. How have you reassured that person of your care? Is there someone who needs this from you now? Pray for that person as well, and for yourself, that you might be present to them.
1 Chronicles
David's song of praise
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
make his deeds known to all people! ...
The Lord—he is our God.
His justice is everywhere throughout the whole world.
God remembers his covenant forever,
the word he commanded to a thousand generations,
which he made with Abraham,
the solemn pledge he swore to Isaac....
Bless the Lord, Israel's God,
from forever in the past to forever always.
And let all the people say, "Amen!"
Praise the Lord!
1 Chronicles 16:8, 14-16, 36
Praying the word
For what do you give thanks in your life today? Pause to review what you will be doing between now and the end of the day. Or, if you are reading this scripture in the evening, review this past day and all that you have done. What people, places, circumstances, and blessings did you encounter for which you can offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God? Create a simple prayer (for example, "God, I give you thanks for __________"), and lift up your gratitude to God for all that comes to mind.
2 Chronicles
Remembering a good place
The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the Lord as one. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other musical instruments, they began to sing, praising the Lord:
Yes, God is good!
Yes, God's faithful love lasts forever!
Then a cloud filled the Lord's temple. The priests were unable to carry out their duties on account of the cloud because the Lord's glory filled God's temple.
2 Chronicles 5:13-14
Praying the word
This reading describes a moment of worship during the dedication of Solomon's temple. For your prayer, reflect on ways that God has been good to you or to your family. If you can, think of a specific day or moment when you were convinced that God's faithful love would last a lifetime. Read the passage again, imagining that the trumpeters and singers are celebrating what God has done for you. Ask for an experience of God's glory powerful enough to interrupt your routine.
Ezra
Laying the foundation
When the builders laid the foundation of the Lord's temple, the priests clothed in their vests and carrying their trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, arose to praise the Lord according to the directions of Israel's King David. They praised and gave thanks to the Lord, singing responsively, "He is good, his graciousness for Israel lasts forever."
All of the people shouted with praise to the Lord because the foundation of the Lord's house had been laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and heads of families, who had seen the first house, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this house, although many others shouted loudly with joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people's weeping, because the people rejoiced very loudly. The sound was heard at a great distance.
Ezra 3:10-13
Praying the word
Take time to read this passage from Ezra slowly and thoughtfully. You may wish to read it more than once, using your imagination to re-create the sights, sounds, and emotions of the scene. Now focus on the image of the older members of the community weeping while others are joyful. For what, in your community, are the older members weeping? What causes them pain, suffering, and sadness? Offer a prayer to God for these people, for what breaks their hearts, for what causes them fear, and for what brings them to tears. Give God thanks for their lives, and ask God to bless and keep them.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Covenant Meditations by Abingdon Press. Copyright © 2014 Abingdon Press. Excerpted by permission of Abingdon Press.
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