"The Daily Office" method of reading scripture focuses on the theme of grace in all three scripture readings today (Old Testament, Epistle, & Gospel.) I love how the Apostle Paul refers to God's grace as an indescribable gift in II Corinthians 9:15.Sometimes if I'm really paying attention at any given moment, God's grace is so real to me that like Paul, I can only refer to it as indescribable. That's how wonderful God's grace is. God's unmerited favor is being extended to me through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I've included a portion of each of today's "Daily Office" readings which refer to how God's indesribable gift of grace is at work.
"Lord, help me to be aware of your indescribable gift of grace, not just on sunny, blue sky days, but during the stormy days as well. Amen."
Moses reminds the Israelites of God's indescribable gift of grace through their deliverance from slavery in Egypt:
Deut. 29:2-15 (NRSV)
2Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: You have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, 3the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. 4But to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, or eyes to see, or ears to hear. 5I have led you forty years in the wilderness. The clothes on your back have not worn out, and the sandals on your feet have not worn out; 6you have not eaten bread, and you have not drunk wine or strong drink-so that you may know that I am the LORD your God. 7When you came to this place, King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan came out against us for battle, but we defeated them. 8We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. 9Therefore diligently observe the words of this covenant, in order that you may succeed in everything that you do.
2Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: You have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, 3the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. 4But to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, or eyes to see, or ears to hear. 5I have led you forty years in the wilderness. The clothes on your back have not worn out, and the sandals on your feet have not worn out; 6you have not eaten bread, and you have not drunk wine or strong drink-so that you may know that I am the LORD your God. 7When you came to this place, King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan came out against us for battle, but we defeated them. 8We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. 9Therefore diligently observe the words of this covenant, in order that you may succeed in everything that you do.
Paul reminds the Corinthians of why they are offering their generous financial gift to help the struggling church in Jerusalem. It's because of God's indescribable gift of grace!
II Corinthians 9:13-15
13Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, 14while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Jesus reminds the disciples that the more we sow God's love, the more we will reap God's indescribable gift of grace.
Luke 18:26-29
26Those who heard it said, 'Then who can be saved?' 27He replied, 'What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.' 28Then Peter said, 'Look, we have left our homes and followed you.' 29And he said to them, 'Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.'
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