Trusting God’s Provision: Living in Humility, Faith, and Service
Cry out to God and remember what he has done. Listen to his promises, trust him, and live according to his ways (Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16). God is gracious to provide for our needs, even when we complain and are undeserving (Exodus 17:1-17). In gratitude, we turn from our own concerns to consider others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:1-13). Through faith and trust, we bow in humility to take Jesus at his word, accepting his authority and divinity (Matthew 21:23-32).
“We praise God and meditate on his glorious works (Psalm 145: 1-8 and Psalm 105:-16, 37-45). We may suffer for Christ’s sake (Philippians 1:21-30), but we know that God will be generous with us, beyond what we deserve (Matthew 20:1-16). There is no need we have that God will not provide (Exodus 16:2-15).”
-Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
Today celebrates the cross as a symbol of Christ’s triumph over death. The history behind this day can be traced back to the time of Constantine. Holy Cross Day is celebrated on September 14th because it was on this day in 335 A.D. that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was dedicated in Jerusalem.
Many Christian traditions use the sign of the cross as a physical act of prayer that brings to mind Christ’s sacrifice and the continuing call to discipleship. This practice has a rich history. Here is an extended quote from James Keifer explaining its historical and biblical significance:
“Tertullian, in his De Corona (3:2), written around AD 211, says that Christians seldom do anything significant without making the sign of the cross. Certainly, by his time the practice was well established. Justin Martyr, in chapters 55 and 60 of his First Apology (Defence of the Christian Faith, addressed to the Emperor Antoninus Pius and therefore written between 148 and 155 AD), refers to the cross as a standard Christian symbol, but not explicitly to tracing the sign of the cross as a devotional gesture… Continue reading Holy Cross Day 2017→
“The Lord protects his people; just as he brought them safely out of Egypt (Exodus 14:19-31), so he will care for us. We praise God for his justice, healing, mercy, and love (Psalm 103:1-13 and Psalm 114), knowing that as Christians, we must consider the feelings of others (Romans 14:1-12). In the same way, God has forgiven us much, we are to forgive others with generosity (Matthew 18:21-35).” -Thomas Oden
“The power of Christ’s precious blood is seen in the Passover, as are other symbols of the faith (Exodus 12:1-14). We pray for God to help us better understand his instructions so we can wholeheartedly walk in the right paths on our spiritual journey (Psalm 119:33-40). We pledge to confront in love our fellow Christians who fall away from the faith in some way (Matthew 18:15-20). We cast off the works of darkness to walk in the light of love (Romans 13:8-14).” -Thomas Oden