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August 13, 2025

God Makes a Way

Stanley R. Copeland   |   Read Psalm 80:8-19

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Lectionary Week
August 11–17, 2025
Scripture Overview

The scripture readings for the week have a common theme of God’s making a way, and God’s way always leads to restoration, forgiveness, justice, mercy, and love. We can stray from God’s way or reject it altogether, but God never strays from us, will not forsake us, and always beckons us to pursue God’s way leading ultimately to peace and a real experience of God’s presence. The scripture readings conclude with acknowledgment that on God’s way we are surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses”—saints of the faith are also our companions. Standing beside us along the way is Jesus accompanying us.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

S
• Read Isaiah 5:1-7. How do we take the way of justice and mercy that God has provided for us and reject the way that leads to bloodshed?
• Read Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19. What do we need rescue from in the present day? Why do we need restoration and revival, and what purpose would it serve?
• Read Hebrews 11:29–12:2. Who do you see as a person or persons of faith who have shined a light on the path of God’s way?
• Read Luke 12:49-56. How do we address divisions when they come upon us in our families, friendship circles, and communities of faith?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Psalm 80:8-19

8 You brought a vine out of Egypt. You drove out the nations and planted it. 9 You cleared the ground for it; then it planted its roots deep, filling the land. 10 The mountains were covered by its shade; the mighty cedars were covered by its branches. 11 It sent its branches all the way to the sea; its shoots went all the way to the Euphrates River. 12 So why have you now torn down its walls so that all who come along can pluck its fruit, 13 so that any boar from the forest can tear it up, so that the bugs can feed on it? 14 Please come back, God of heavenly forces! Look down from heaven and perceive it! Attend to this vine, 15 this root that you planted with your strong hand, this son whom you secured as your very own. 16 It is burned with fire. It is chopped down. They die at the rebuke coming from you. 17 Let your hand be with the one on your right side with the one whom you secured as your own 18 then we will not turn away from you! Revive us so that we can call on your name. 19 Restore us, LORD God of heavenly forces! Make your face shine so that we can be saved!

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

The psalmist shares his heartfelt cry as one who believed God’s way was one of restoration: “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!”
A few years ago, my parents, in their eighties, lost their home and everything in it to a fire. We were...

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God of the way of restoration, pick me up when I am down. Lift your message above the ash heaps of my lowest season, and open my soul to hear your song of hope. Amen.


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