Joy Amidst Grief

Our scripture readings this week express a mixture of joy and grief. In Nehemiah we read about the restoration of hope in Israel juxtaposed with the grief of what they have lost. The psalmist provides a descriptive way the firmament reveals to us the mighty acts of God amidst our human errors and brokenness. Paul uses the analogy of human anatomy to reveal the kind of life that is joyous, hopeful, and fulfilling in Christ Jesus. Luke portrays Jesus as the one who fulfilled the scriptures by taking human form—Incarnation—to free us from captivity.

• Read Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10. How do you find joy, hope, and peace in God’s word, most especially in hard times?
• Read Psalm 19. What areas of nature reveal to you the mighty acts of God?
• Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a. How do you take on more to support the body of Christ when others struggle? How do you allow others to take weight from you when you struggle?
• Read Luke 4:14-21. How do you respond to God’s call to stand and speak for the liberation of people who are captives of the systems and barriers created by our modern society?