Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 2, 2024
Luke 13:10-17
10 Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 A woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and couldn’t stand up straight. 12 When he saw her, Jesus called her to him and said, “Woman, you are set free from your sickness.” 13 He placed his hands on her and she straightened up at once and praised God. 14 The synagogue leader, incensed that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, responded, “There are six days during which work is permitted. Come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath day.” 15 The Lord replied, “Hypocrites! Don’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from its stall and lead it out to get a drink? 16 Then isn’t it necessary that this woman, a daughter of Abraham, bound by Satan for eighteen long years, be set free from her bondage on the Sabbath day?” 17 When he said these things, all his opponents were put to shame, but all those in the crowd rejoiced at all the extraordinary things he was doing.
Good Morning! Rejoice and Be glad!
When is the right time? Most of us have unfinished tasks that sit waiting for us to finish them. I remember a trip to Mexico when I noticed many houses were incomplete. In some cases, one or two things were necessary, but others still had much to do. Interestingly, all these houses were complete enough to provide a safe and dry existence for those who lived there. When I asked someone about this phenomenon, I was told that residents did not have to pay taxes on their homes until they were complete.
I put off things until a better day. A better day is when I have more time, fewer distractions, or nothing better to do. I think of sewing projects in a box of cut pieces with the patterns still attached. They remained in the box for so long that the child for whom they were cut has grown up.
Jesus reminds us to act now. Why should someone suffer another day just because it is more convenient to wait one more day? Once you see someone in need, you must act now! God’s command does not contain earthly regulations regarding when, how, where, or what we should do. God’s command is founded on why we do it. We do it because the need requires us to help now.
Dear Lord, We are your children! Open our hearts so that we always react and help those in need. Praise be to God! Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Don’t put limitations on God’s call to serve.
Live, Love, Serve! Pastor Liz
Comments