Reflections: Have you ever watched a young child play at an adult occupation? They do this so that they can practice the various skills that are needed to be ‘grown up’. For this reason, some have even said that play is a child’s occupation! Even though he is well and truly grown up Paul uses this same principle for his own life… because persevering in-and-through hardship is not easy. We need to be formed in this dying and living way of life. Paul uses another quote from scripture (Psalm 116:10 in our Bibles) to show two things. The first is that he believes
God’s promise to look after him and lift him up. The second is that by inserting himself into the Psalm he is being like a child who practices their daily tasks. In other words, he is performing scripture. This helps Paul to persevere, and it shows the Corinthians that it is possible!
Questions: What passages from scripture remind you that God delights to give life? How might you practice or perform these promises?
Prayer: Loving Father, you delight to give us good things. Please remind me that this is true even when life is tough. May you show me how to enact my faith so that I grasp hold of the promises you make. Amen.
We’re reading the Bible until
July 28th with Matt Brain. Matt is Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo.