Embracing Uncertainty

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Judges 6 Listen: (6:15) Read: Titus 1 Listen: (2:24)

Scripture Focus: Judges 6:39-40

39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.

John 14:8

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Reflection: Embracing Uncertainty

By Erin Newton

Anxiety was always part of my life, so adding it to my faith was natural.

If your early days in the faith look like mine, you repeatedly prayed for supernatural signs. I always needed God to prove my salvation was secure. Did that prayer “stick”? Maybe I should do it again.

When I read Scripture that spoke of “ye of little faith,” I was the “ye.” Paired with comments that doubting was a lack of faith, I assumed my doubt meant my faith was in jeopardy.

Unfortunately, this mindset about faith caused me to read the story of Gideon in a condescending way. Gideon, he of little faith. An Old Testament Doubting Thomas.

Susan Niditch calls Gideon our most “pleasingly insecure” hero. Yet God loves this insecure hero. He doesn’t back away from using him.

Gideon is called to save Israel from the hands of the Midianites. Despite the God-given instructions, he’s not free from his own insecurity. Has his faith faltered? Have the previous days or years following God suddenly become nullified because he asks God for a sign? And one more sign? No. Gideon the hero struggles with anxiety just like any one of us.

Philip, one of the apostles, repeats this same scenario in John 14. Jesus tells his disciples that he is about to leave them. Things are about to get a lot worse. Philip, looking for some place to alleviate his insecure feelings, says: “Show us the Father and that will be enough.” One more sign. Then I can keep going.

God didn’t hesitate to answer Gideon. Insecurity does not offend God. Jesus answers Philip by pointing out the answer has always been his presence. He was answering his insecurity before Philip realized his own anxiety.

Gideon cannot escape his insecurity. Philip is not immune to doubts. Our repetitive pleas to God to help our uncertainty is not a sign of diminishing faith. Asking for a sign is met with God’s own reassuring words, “I’ve been with you all this time.”

The indwelling of the Spirit will not erase our anxieties. (Oh, how I wish he would remove this thorn in the flesh!) Embracing uncertainty is a part of faith. But like our own fears—our best method is to embrace the overwhelming uncertainty, learning to live in the tension between the surety of our faith in Christ and the common human reaction to ask for one more reassurance.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

You are my helper and my deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry. — Psalm 70.6

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

Read more: Count Your Hardships

Balanced with the various ways God provided, the anxiety-inducing “what-if” turns into the hope-filled “even-if.”

Read The Bible With Us

Who could you invite to read the Bible with you to find joy in God’s word? Read together at a sustainable, two-year pace.

https://mailchi.mp/theparkforum/m-f-daily-email-devotional

Who Drinks the Curse?

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Numbers 5 Listen: (4:39) Read: Acts 28 Listen: (4:56)

Scripture Focus: Numbers 5.12-17

12 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him 13 so that another man has sexual relations with her, and this is hidden from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act), 14 and if feelings of jealousy come over her husband and he suspects his wife and she is impure—or if he is jealous and suspects her even though she is not impure—15 then he is to take his wife to the priest. He must also take an offering of a tenth of an ephah  of barley flour on her behalf. He must not pour olive oil on it or put incense on it, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, a reminder-offering to draw attention to wrongdoing. 16 “ ‘The priest shall bring her and have her stand before the Lord.

John 8.2-11

2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Reflection: Who Drinks the Curse?

By John Tillman

The “jealousy sacrifice” is uncomfortable to read. It seems like a double standard. The “adulterous woman” is held accountable, but what about the unknown adulterer? Also, why is there no test for the unfaithfulness of a man suspected by his wife? Could this ceremony be performed if suspicions were reversed?

Struggling with difficult parts of the Bible is a necessary part of faith. Pretending the Bible is easy to understand is a denial of truth. There is no satisfactory explanation we can reach in a 400-word devotional. But here are a few practical and symbolic things to reflect on.

The sacrifice tests the couple, not just the woman. The sacrifice’s lack of oil addresses the marriage’s lack of trust and joy. Distrust is based on jealous “feelings,” not evidence. The woman’s faithfulness and man’s unsubstantiated suspicions are tested. The ceremony’s primary purpose seems to be restoring trust by proving the wife’s innocence rather than punishing her guilt.

The curse would vindicate the innocent. The Tabernacle’s dust was holy and only harmed the unholy. The ink of the written curse would be washed off the scroll into the water and reveal the truth. Shame would fall on the guilty party. Either secret adultery or public jealousy would be shamed. An unharmed woman would be shown to be holy.

Some Mosaic laws were allowances for hard hearts. (Matthew 19.7-9; Mark 10.4-9) Jesus prioritized Edenic ideals over Mosaic commands, saying “Moses allowed” things God did not intend from the beginning. Mosaic law was how God dealt with the people where they were.

Jesus redeems sinners and the law. Everything in the Old Testament is about Jesus. (Luke 24.25-27) Jesus seemed to subtly reference this curse when the “adulterous woman” was brought before him in the Temple. The differences are that neither her husband nor the adulterer are with her. How can someone be caught “in the act” without the partner being there?

Jesus stooped to the dust of the Temple floor as the priest would in the Tabernacle. Jesus wrote in the dust just as the priest wrote the curse. What Jesus wrote in the dust surely exposed the jealousies and sins of those standing there, as the curse would expose the truth behind the accuser’s suspicions.

Satan accuses us not with “feelings” but facts. We are guilty. Yet, Jesus defends us. He drinks our curse and bids us “sin no more.”


Let us say, “Amen. So be it.” (Numbers 5.22b)

Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading

Jesus said to us: “Everything now covered up will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. What I say in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops.” — Matthew 10.26-27

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Calluses Aren’t Forever

Calluses develop. We aren’t born with them…calloused hearts, ears, and eyes were temporary. Jesus and Paul knew this. Calluses aren’t forever.

Read more: Are There Ashtrays in Your Elevators?

Like ashtrays in elevators, there are always systemic, tangible, widespread, societal enablements of sins.

The First Spirit-Filled Work

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Exodus 35 Listen: (4:31) Read: Luke 17 Listen: (4:22)

Scripture Focus: Exodus 35.30-34

30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. 34 And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.

John 14.26

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you

Reflection: The First Spirit-Filled Work

By John Tillman

Jesus described the filling of the Holy Spirit as being for the good of not only the disciples, but the world. The works the Spirit did through them built a new space, a new Temple, a new people of God to shine the light of God’s love to the world.

We often think of the Holy Spirit helping pastors when they preach and musicians when they lead worship. We know the Holy Spirit helps us study the Bible. We pray in faith that the Holy Spirit will bring the miraculous help of God for healings, interventions, or protections.

However, the first Spirit-filled individuals, Bezalel and Oholiab, were not orators, political leaders, musicians, writers, prophets, warriors, or healers. They were artisans, builders, makers. They worked with their hands.

They also did these things in community. Part of the Spirit’s gifting was to teach. They were not to do what God called them to alone but to teach others who would join the work.

The first Spirit-filled workers in the Bible used hammers and tongs, needles and thread, chisels, saws, and perfume…not pulpits. They spoke not with words but images. They taught understanding through symbolism and space. They brought spiritual healing through the redemptive instruments of atonement they would craft.

Their skilled minds, hearts, and hands wrought from the gifts of God’s people a place to meet with God. Artistry using symbols, spaces, textures, patterns, and images replanted a representation of an Edenic garden in which humans would once again walk in fellowship with God.

What type of sacred space are we creating? Not just in our churches but in our lives? Not just in spiritual ways but physical ways? Are we telling the redemptive story and ushering people into the presence of God?

Whether you work with hammer and chisel or with keyboard and screen, God’s Spirit longs to use your work to build sacred space depicting redemption. This space goes beyond the walls of your church building to encompass all those who will hear the call of Christ. Worship in this space and invite others in to learn of God.

May we be filled with the Spirit to the tips of our fingers as they work acts of redemption.

May not only the words of our mouths and meditations of our hearts, but also the works of our hands be pleasing in the sight of the Redeemer.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory; because of your love and because of your faithfulness. — Psalm 115.1

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Prayer in our Vocation

To some, it might be a surprise that one of the primary definitions of the word “vocation” is a divine calling.

Read more: Prayer in our Vocation

To some, it might be a surprise that one of the primary definitions of the word “vocation” is a divine calling.

Read more: Extra Ordinary Prayer

We carry prayer with us into every moment of our lives. As we do, may our actions be blessings not curses, carrying the good news of the gospel.

Seeing God in the Wilderness — A Guided Prayer

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Exodus 24 Listen: (2:48) Read: Luke 6 Listen: (6:46)

Scripture Focus: Exodus 24.11b

…They saw God, and they ate and drank.

John 3.14-15

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,  15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”


From John: We return today to this Lenten prayer from 2019 that is rewritten and expanded to apply to any time of the year. Desert and wilderness times are not always of our choosing or on the calendar. But in our deserts, we can meet with God in a special way.

Reflection: Seeing God in the Wilderness — A Guided Prayer

By John Tillman

The observance of Lent is like entering a desert or wilderness on a spiritual quest. There is much to learn from the Spirit of God in the desert places of our lives.

Desert or wilderness times can come, planned or unplanned, at any time of year. Pray to the Lord, in the wilderness of Lent or in unexpected wilderness times. God meets with us in the desert as he did the elders of Israel.

Guided Prayer

Lord, we have entered the desert. We wander in a wilderness. Like Israel, we desert what has enslaved us. We come to a desert place to meet with you.

“Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance…”

Israel came to a forbidden and foreboding mountain. Only a few could see your face.

“[They] went up and saw the God of Israel…But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.”

But now, Jesus, you extend your hand, inviting us to a joy-filled city, where we will dine with the Lord.

In Lenten and desert times, Lord, we have the opportunity to leave behind worldly things we cling to. We partake of your presence and the heavenly food and drink that is doing the will of God.

If we cling to earthly things, we walk with our heads down—focused on what we can hold. Watching it crumble to dust.

In Lent and in the wilderness, remind us that we are born again and raise our eyes to heavenly things.

“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Let your Holy Spirit refresh our eyes to see what you see.

Let your Holy Spirit tell us of heavenly things and prepare us to understand them.

“I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?”

May we lift you up, to draw those around us to you.

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living. — Psalm 116.8

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Our Opportunistic Opponent

By Christ’s mercy we can resist Satan and he will flee. But just as when Satan left Jesus in the wilderness, he is only waiting for an opportune time to return.

Read more: In Medias Res

Jesus goes into the desert and to the cross to face our consequences and win our victory. He faces what we flee. He obtains what we pursue. He repairs what we wreck.

Praying for the Persecuted

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Genesis 17 Listen: (4:02), Read: John 16 Listen: (4:14)

Scripture Focus: John 16.2

2 The time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.

From John: We return to this rewritten post from 2019 to remind us that as Christianity grows overseas, persecution does as well. In the linked Christianity Today article from 2024, we read that in the previous year, 5,000 Christians were killed for their faith, 4,000 were abducted, and more than 295,000 Christians were forcibly displaced from their homes because of their faith. Let us pray for the persecuted church without claiming their persecution as our own.

Reflection: Praying for the Persecuted

By John Tillman

It is troubling how American media downplays or ignores persecution of Christians overseas.

Perhaps they think Christians have it pretty good in America, so the suffering of Christians overseas lacks relevance. It is good for Christians to share the stories of modern Christian martyrs, however we must be careful not to claim for ourselves their mantle of suffering.

Our readers outside the United States are approximately twenty percent of our email subscribers and a much higher percentage of our web traffic and social media reach. However, the vast majority of our readers are in “safe” countries for Christians. Our difficulties are not comparable to those suffering true persecution.

Wherever we live, we must also not claim persecution when experiencing discomfort or pushback from culture. We must not get our feelings hurt when governments don’t rubber stamp our religious convictions as law, or when prominent voices call us names, call out hypocrisy, or attack us intellectually.

This doesn’t mean we abandon our convictions. Too many have done so. This doesn’t mean we abandon winsome engagement with culture. We must speak the truth in love and speak truth to power.

As we pray today, using Christ’s words to his disciples before his crucifixion, may we keep in mind and hold up before God’s throne in prayer members of our community and of God’s church in countries where they are threatened by the state, by religious militias, and by other dangerous forces.

Praying for the Persecuted
Lord of the suffering and the outcast, we pray the words of your Son regarding the suffering of our brothers and sisters…
“I have told you so that you will not fall away. The time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.
I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them.
Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. Your joy will be complete.”
Turn our brothers and sisters’ grief to joy. And turn our mourning into action on their behalf.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Cry of the Church

O God, come to my assistance! O Lord, make haste to help me!

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Prayer for the Church from Indonesia :: Worldwide Prayer

We confess that in the comfort of your blessings and abundance…we too easily forget others who pray for daily bread…peace in their land…freedom to pursue life…

Read more: What Is Persecution? :: Throwback Thursday

It is a sign of great uncharitableness and cruelty, when men can find in their hearts to persecute others for little things