Silence and Stillness before God (2 minutes)
Scripture Reading
“I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ I tell you this beforehand so that when it happens you will believe that I Am the Messiah. I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.” Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!” The disciples looked at each other, wondering who he could mean. The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. 24 Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. So Judas left at once, going out into the night.
Devotional
The disciples often did not understand what Jesus told them. Sometimes they asked him about his sayings and he was happy to explain. Asking God to explain things out of natural curiosity is not the same as accusing or blaming him. But sometimes answers do not come right away or even at all.
Five days before my daughter died of a terminal illness I prayed for her as she slept. Immediately I had a vision of her glorified body. She was filled with millions of tiny blue stars. She was so beautiful, I gasped in delight. Out of my mouth and straight from my spirit came the words, “Oh! That’s why.”
My mind never understood what my spirit grasped so fully, but I know that one day I will understand. (1 Cor. 13:12) For now, some things are beyond my human comprehension and I am okay with that.
Question to Consider
Should you withhold trusting God until you can understand everything in His Word and in life?
Prayer
Father God, let our questions draw us to know you more fully. But when there is no way for our finite minds to understand, let us find peace in knowing that you hold all things together and will cause them to bring good into our lives because of your great, great love.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
The 40 days of decrease blogs have been inspired by the book “40 Days of Decrease” by Alicia Britt Chole.
