Introduction: For hundreds of years many Christian traditions have read passages of scripture using a tool called a lectionary. During this ordinary season, our devotional team decided to resource you with selections from the Revised Common Lectionary.

Source: the Revised Common Lectionary Year A

(Note. If you desire to read these passages in a different version of the Bible, this link will provide all the readings for week 5 in ESV in Bible Gateway where you may also choose other versions of these passages.)

Isaiah 44:6-8
44:6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.

44:7 Who is like me? Let them proclaim it, let them declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be.

44:8 Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.

In this passage God declares his qualities! He is the first and the last! The only God!
Then he states that those who are equal should declare it. And there is no reply. He is the one true God.

In Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he tells the religious leaders who object to his disciples’ celebrations and songs of worship, that if they were quiet the stones would cry out.

We are called to name God’s praiseworthy characteristics.

What part of God’s character are you thankful for? How would you praise Him today?
Take a walk, or sit outside and observe creation. Enjoy the macro (the sky and the ‘beyond’) and the micro (the tiniest movement). Sing praise to the God who made it all.

Psalm 86:11-17
86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.

86:12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

86:13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

86:14 O God, the insolent rise up against me; a band of ruffians seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.

86:15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

86:16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl.

86:17 Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame, because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I have long loved the poem “The Road Not Taken”. I have noticed key moments in my life that seem to feel like a moment of choice. In those moments my prayer has reflected the words of Psalm 86:11. To paraphrase it in my own words might look like this:

God, give me wisdom to follow your path.