Lessons, October 20, 2013

I am put in mind of the story of the Pastor who is asked how his son is doing in university and his reply is, "Great, at the moment he's an atheist."

The lesson for today is that it's OKAY to question God and to not take no for an answer. Faith that is not tested and does not undergo testing is a rather bland and lifeless affair. God has rather broad shoulders and his feelings are not easily hurt. It is not blasphemy to admit our loss of faith if it help us regain it.

Mar 9:24 Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

It is difficult to have mountaintop experiences if we do not also have periods of doubt, grief, pain, and depression; to do so is to be human and not a sign of weakness, in fact it takes a strong man to face up to his own failings. We need to bring our hurts to God along with our joys. After all it is to be remembered that Jesus sweated blood as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Jacob was a schemer. Having become estranged from his older brother Esau he went to live with his Uncle Laban. In the passage prior to today's lesson he is with great trepidation returning home and facing a meeting with his brother the outcome of which is in doubt. The 'man' Jacob is wrestling with here is his own guilty conscience. It would seem he wins this crisis of conscience and goes on to make reconciliation with his brother Esau.

Jacob feared what his brother's reaction might be when their reunion took place. Psalm 121 expresses faith in God's protection at all times and in all places.

What I take from today's Epistle Lesson in Timothy is that we should study and discuss doctrines and opinions that differ from the truth we know in the Gospel in order to understand where our neighbours are coming from just so long as we don't lose sight of the message given us in Christ.

1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing;

Whether or not it is possible to wear God down as the widow does the judge in the parable in today's Gospel the very act of prayer is an expression of faith that is good for the soul. It is also possible that we find answer to prayer in the least expected places and faith among the most unlikely of God's servants.

Heb 13:2 Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it.

What I find most comforting here is the assertion that it is alright to have doubts and to struggle with our faith. God's love for us is strong enough to care for us even when we feel unloved and in doubt. The only truly unforgivable sin is to reject that love.