1st. June. 2021. Daily Devotion.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. Romans 11:17-18
In our reading today, the apostle Paul is talking about his own people, Israel, as an olive tree rooted and cultivated by God, and he is speaking to Gentiles, people from all other nations besides Israel.
We all need tangible ways to picture what God is doing with us in the story of salvation, and this passage is like a forest of many images that relate to trees, branches, roots, sap, and grafting to help us understand God’s purposes. Although this chapter is rather difficult on some levels, even a basic reading of the verses shows that God is eager to take on the challenge of integrating wild branches with a cultivated rootstock, which is not the usual practice. It’s typical to attach a cultivated branch to the root of a wild tree because a wild rootstock is usually more hardy, and a cultivated branch usually produces more fruit.
But we can see that by reversing the process, God has the power to sustain the weaker root and will also insert weaker branches, which will still, because of his kindness and mercy, result in a vibrant, fruitful tree. God not only includes strong, able people, but he also shows a preference for weak and unlikely candidates. God will even go so far as to graft a broken branch in again.
We don’t know why God chooses to gather his people this way, but for all of us who feel weak, disabled, left behind, or inadequate, this passage offers profound hope. God can and will include us in the big story of his never-ending love. JP Vanderveen
O God, the depths of your wisdom and love amaze us! Thank you for graciously including us in your family tree. To you be the glory forever! Amen.
Draw Thou Our Hearts
O Lord Jesus Christ, draw thou our hearts unto thee; join them together in inseparable love, that we may abide in thee, and thou in us, and that the everlasting covenant between us may stand sure forever. O wound our hearts with the fiery darts of thy piercing love. Let them pierce through all our slothful members and inward powers, that we, being happily wounded, may so become whole and sound. Let us have no lover but thyself alone; let us seek no joy nor comfort except in thee. Amen. ~ by Myles Coverdale, Bishop of Exeter, 1530
Prayer for hospitals
Bless those who share with Christ a healing ministry, researchers, doctors, surgeons, nurses. Use their sympathy and skill for the relief of suffering, the conquest of disease, and the restoration of health. and crown all their efforts with good success, through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen ~ Book of Common Order
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we rejoice in Your great wisdom and strength and thank You for being an ever present help in time of need. We ask that as You send us out from this place, we may have a joyful expectation of what You are going to accomplish in each of our lives and ask that You will remain close to each one in the days that lie ahead.
May the Lord bless us and keep us as we draw closer to Jesus. We pray that He will fill our hearts with love and joy and keep us rejoicing in the Lord and in the power of His might, so that we may be strengthened in the inner man, equipped to do Your service. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
