Readings for Sunday, June 13, 2021

If you’re new to Weekly Song Reflections, click here to learn about it

Click here to follow the Weekly Song Reflections playlist on Spotify

Please note—during Ordinary Time, we follow the thematic strand of Old Testament readings

Lectionary Readings for June 13, 2021

Reading One: Ezekiel 17:22-24 (NRSV)

Song: Promised One (lyrics here)

Reflection

This passage in Ezekiel is an image of Christ. Like Isaiah 11:1, it’s a picture of one who will grow from David’s line into a fulfillment of God’s covenant promises, a “tree of salvation” that provide shelter and protection for all of God’s people. This sets up a theme for this week of God’s faithfulness, trustworthiness, and power to save. All of these come to their ultimate earthly expression in the person and work of Jesus, the Promised One from David’s line.

How has God demonstrated his faithfulness and trustworthiness in your life? Spend some time meditating on his promises, especially the promise of Jesus and the salvation he came to bring. How can you give thank for his saving work in your life today?

Reading Two: Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 (NRSV)

Song: Great is Thy Faithfulness (lyrics here)

Reflection

The psalmist lifts up words of praise that celebrate God’s love and faithfulness. The righteous are compared to flourishing palm trees, sturdy Lebanon cedars, and fruitful trees in God’s court, but make no mistake: the psalmist is not exalting human effort or achievement. It is God who brings forth fruit and who provides a firm foundation. As the psalmist says, he is our rock. Without him there is no flourishing and no standing firm.

Have you ever found yourself thinking of your own faithfulness above God’s? Does the temptation to “take credit” for the spiritual fruit of your life sometimes win? Spend some time reflecting on the ways God has caused your life to flourish, and the ways he has provided a strong foundation when the winds of life are strong. Then spend some time praising him that all of this is due to his faithfulness and steadfast love.

Reading Three: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17 (NRSV)

Song: By Faith (lyrics here)

Reflection

The trustworthiness of God means that, at times, we take steps forward that are possible not because we know where they lead, but because we know the one who has called us to take them is faithful. Paul says “we walk by faith, not by sight.” This is not blind faith. Blind faith has no foundation. This is faith rooted in God’s faithfulness, which he has demonstrated to us time and time again. This is our confidence, as Paul reminds us—confidence in God’s promises, which have never, ever failed.

This song encourages us to “fix our eyes” on God as we take steps of faith. What helps you keep your eyes on Jesus? What practices can you build into your walk with God to ensure that you are regularly heeding the call of Hebrews to keep “our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith?” (Heb. 12:2, CSB)

Reading Four: Mark 4:26-34 (NRSV)

Song: Christ Will Be My Hideaway (lyrics here)

Reflection

Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed gives us yet another image of a tree that provides protection and shelter. In these chaotic times, this picture of God’s kingdom speaks to our very human need to find a place to hideaway, finding shade and rest.

Our final song gives us powerful language to reflect on the ways Jesus is our hideaway. Read through these lyrics slowly and reflectively, and let them be your prayer today: “In You, my God, I trust, You are strong and here with us. In You, my hope remains, Christ will be my hideaway.”

VERSE 1
I will dwell within the shelter of the God who reigns above
I will rest beneath the shadow of the mighty King of love
Though a sickness hides in darkness, though a plague destroys by day
I will stand upon His promises, Christ will be my hideaway

CHORUS
In You, my God, I trust, You are strong and here with us
In You, my hope remains, Christ will be my hideaway

VERSE 2
Angels gather to protect me when they hear my Savior call
Sovereign hands are ever ready to uphold me should I fall
Safe beneath His wings of refuge all my fears are kept at bay
I am shielded by His faithfulness, Christ will be my hideaway

VERSE 3
Though a thousand fall around me, though death looks me in the eye
Evil shall not have the vict’ry while the Lord is at my side
God in power raised my Savior, I no longer fear the grave
Through this fragile life and evermore, Christ will be my hideaway

Songwriter(s): Bob Kauflin, David Zimmer, Lacy Hudson, McKenzie Fuller, Nathan Stiff, Tim Chester
CCLI: #7149448

Readings for Sunday, June 6, 2021

If you’re new to Weekly Song Reflections, click here to learn about it

Click here to follow the Weekly Song Reflections playlist on Spotify

Please note—during Ordinary Time, we follow the thematic strand of Old Testament readings

Lectionary Readings for June 6, 2021

Reading One: Genesis 3:8-15 (NRSV)

Song: The God Who Stays (lyrics here)

Reflection

God’s cry of “Where are you?” in Genesis 3 is heartbreaking, because it is a question that speaks to the shame of the man and woman rather than to God’s supposed unawareness. God is calling them to reflect on the place of hiding to which sin has brought them. Do you also know that desire to hide from God, that place where shame causes you to shrink back from the one who created you and loves you? Spend some time with God being honest about your own struggles with shame, and giving thanks to him for the cross of Christ which lifts the burden of guilt and shame. The same God who walked in the garden now invites you to walk with him free from that weight.

Reading Two: Psalm 130 (NRSV)

Song: Out of the Depths (lyrics here)

Reflection

This is an interesting psalm to place between the Old Testament reading from Genesis 3 and the New Testament readings, because it speaks to the idea of waiting for God’s redemption. When Psalm 130 was written the people of God were still waiting for his ultimate redemption: waiting, watching, and trusting in his steadfast love. How have you known seasons of waiting for God to work his redemptive power in your life? What has helped you to hope and hold on to trust? If, like the psalmist, you know right now what it means to exist in “the depths,” how is God inviting you to cry out to him while you wait?

Reading Three: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 (NRSV)

Song: It Is Well (lyrics here)

Reflection

Paul’s words remind us that the “momentary afflictions” we experience in this life are preparing us for an “eternal weight of glory.” Like the Hebrews singing Psalm 130 who yearned for God’s redemption, we, too, await a final redemption that will come when we are in God’s presence for eternity. Until then, we take comfort in the fact that “the waves and wind still know his name,” a truth which helps us to not lose heart. What helps you to keep your eyes on Christ even when the struggles of this present life seem overwhelming? How might you ask God to “renew your inner nature” today, enabling you to keep your eyes on what cannot be seen?

Reading Four: Mark 3:20-35 (NRSV)

Song: Your Will Be Done (lyrics here)

Reflection

This is a difficult passage full of difficult words. From the accusations of the crowd to the teaching of the “unforgiveable sin,” to Jesus’ seeming dismissal of his family…it can be hard to read. But there is a beautiful invitation in the midst of it, an invitation to be identified with the family of Christ. In this passage Jesus points to doing the will of God as the mark of his family. As one author puts it,

“A network of relationships created by common obedience to the will of God, melted together by love at each intersection, and motivated to a ministry of service, is Jesus’ idea of His family.” —David L. McKenna

As we seek to be people centered around the will of God, this song provides simple yet powerful lyrics of prayer for us. As our final reflection you’re invited to sit with these lyrics stanza by stanza, meditating on them and seeing how they speak to your own desire to do the will of God. As you read and contemplate, offer them to God as your own prayer.

Your will be done, my God and Father
As in Heaven, so on earth
My heart is drawn to self exalting
Help me seek Your kingdom first

As Jesus walked, so I shall walk
Held by Your same unchanging love
Be still my soul
Oh, lift your voice and pray
Father not my will but Yours be done

How in that garden he persisted
I may never fully know
The fearful weight of true obedience
It was held by him alone

What wondrous faith, to bear that cross
To bear my sin, what wondrous love
My hope was sure
When there my Savior prayed
Father not my will but Yours be done

When I am lost, when I am broken
In the night of fear and doubt
Still I will trust in my good Father
Yes, to one great King I bow!

As Jesus rose, so I shall rise
In ransomed glory at the throne
My heart restored
With all your saints I sing
Father, not my will but Yours be done

As we go forth, our God and Father
Lead us daily in the fight
That all the world might see Your glory
And Your Name be lifted high

And in this Name we overcome
For You shall see us safely home
Now as your church
We lift our voice and pray
Father, not my will but Yours be done

Credits: Rich Thompson, Jonny Robinson

CCLI: 7149566