Being Honest with Jesus
Being Honest with Jesus
Find a comfortable place with your little ones and cozy up. Listen and consciously name the things you hear all around you as your body and mind settle into the present moment. Take a second to study the faces of those next to you – your little ones, your roommate or spouse – then breathe a deep breath and thank God in your heart simply for what you can see, and for what you can hear… for the present moment.
Read Psalm 29:1-5 together – A psalm David wrote while he poured out his heart to God.
‘To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.
Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work:
Repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.
Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.’
Have you felt this way toward God? Have you ever lifted up your hands in prayer and desperation for his movement in your heart or a situation? Have you ever wanted to ask God to bring his judgment on people… on things that have happened that you know are evil? Can you remember what that felt like?
Let’s hold those things in our hearts while we read these words of Jesus.
Read Matthew 5:2-12
‘He took a deep breath, and began his teaching:
Wonderful news for the poor in spirit! The kingdom of heaven is yours.
Wonderful news for the mourners! You’re going to be comforted.
Wonderful news for the meek! You’re going to inherit the earth.
Wonderful news for people who hunger and thirst for God’s justice! You’re going to be satisfied.
Wonderful news for the merciful! You’ll receive mercy yourselves.
Wonderful news for the pure in heart! You will see God.
Wonderful news for the peacemakers! You’ll be called God’s children.
Wonderful news for people who are persecuted because of God’s way! The kingdom of heaven belongs to you.
Wonderful news for you, when people slander you and persecute you, and say all kinds of wicked things about you falsely because of me! Celebrate and rejoice: there’s a great reward for you in heaven. That’s how they persecuted prophets who went before you.’
N.T. Wright says of this famous teaching of Jesus: “Mourners often go uncomforted, the meek don’t inherit the earth, those who long for justice often take that longing to the grave… Jesus’ words were an announcement – He was saying to everyone, ‘I’m here. And this is how my kingdom is.’”
I wonder
- What would a conversation between me and Jesus sound like right now? What/who would I want to talk with him about? (Would I whisper? Cry? Yell?)
- What feelings, frustrations and heartaches would I want to share with him?
- What might I thank Him for?
- If Jesus’ kingdom is here and now, like he said in Matthew 5, what in my family, in my world, or in my heart, needs his infusion of life and hope right now? Can I talk with him about this?
Read Psalm 29:6-9- A psalm David wrote in faith and praise to God.
‘Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.’