Wednesday in the 9th Week of Pentecost
Daily readings
Joshua 3:1-13 Romans 11:25-36 Matthew 25:31-46Higher Things reflection for the day:
“Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David.” (1 Samuel 25:8)
Lots of praying going on in the text for today. Maybe it surprises you, but we pray to one another all the time!
David beseeched Nabal for some kindness. David’s men had shown the same to Nabal’s. David prays him for a little reciprocity. But Nabal is a scoundrel and refuses. Hearing of the danger he has brought upon his family and people, Abigail prepares an offering to send to David, and with it will come a prayer: “On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be! And please let your maidservant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your maidservant.” She begs David to ignore Nabal and show mercy. He does. David spares his hand, and the Lord deals with Nabal.
It is always iffy when we pray to the saints and sinners around us. We never quite know what they’ll do. But with the Lord, we are sure. He commands us to pray as we do in the Lord’s Prayer. We are certain that He hears our pleas and answers them for Jesus’ sake.
Abigail may have won the heart of David with her offering, but Christ has won the heart of God the Father with His Body and His Blood. By his perfect life and His innocent suffering and death, He has appeased the hand that rightly ought to be against us. We, like Nabal, are scoundrels and fools. We deserve to die.
But with Christ in our place, with His Water and Word, His Body and Blood, with His own words on our lips in prayer, we can be sure our Father is delighted to hear us pray. In fact, there’s nothing iffy with God at all!
Amen does not mean the end of things. It means that everything is sure, that all God’s promises are “yes” in Christ, even when He tells us “no.” He is our dear Father, and we are His dear children. And that makes all our praying sure.
“’For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.’ ‘What does this mean?’ ‘This means that I should be certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. Amen, amen means “Yes, yes, it shall be so.”’” (Lord’s Prayer, Conclusion, SC)