Living in the Spirit
June 18, 2014 

Scripture Reading: Psalm 86:1-10, 16, 17 

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord,
   and shall glorify your name.
For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant;
   save the child of your serving-maid.
Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame,
   because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me. – Psalm 86:8-10, 16, 17 

The people who compiled the lectionary surely envisioned Hagar when they read this Psalm, which is most likely why it follows her story.  Genesis 21:15-17 (see June 17 devotion) records Hagar’s only prayer as a request not to have to watch her child die. She had given up. In fact, it does not record any words at all from Ismael, but it does say that God heard Ismael’s voice.  I am reminded of Romans 8:26—Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. It is important to pray and to pray earnestly even though we may be way off course in what we ask. God hears our prayers and translate then in God’s infinite wisdom and understanding.

While this Psalm can be seen through the eyes of Hagar, it also can be seen through the eyes of Jesus. Mary described herself as the servant of the Lord (Luke 1:38) when she accepted the call to be the mother of the Messiah. She stood at the foot of his cross and watched him die. I think Jesus would have taken great heart in verse 9: All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. Jesus was dedicated to bringing us all together as the family of God.

Prayer: Thank you for the gift of Jesus, for his teachings and his example, for his understanding and love and for his great sacrifice. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.