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The first three of our lessons this Sunday all intersect at the theme of Scripture. The Word occupies the psalmist’s thoughts; Jeremiah sees the day when God will internalize God’s laws by inscribing them on our hearts, and in 2 Timothy 3, Paul urges Timothy to "preach the Word." And for the gospel lesson we hear a great tale of persistence in prayer through a widow who pesters a judge for justice.

 

PSALM 119:97-104-WHAT OCCUPIES OUR THOUGHTS?

This psalm praises the Word of God in the Torah and specifically gleamed from its precepts, statutes, rules, instructions, and teachings. Vs. 97-104 moves the reader from objective Word to the internalizing of that Word through thinking about the law. Meditating or thinking about God’s Word leads to a progress of the mind through a better understanding of life. As such, the writer treats them as desert-sweeter than honey.

JEREMIAH 31:27-34-I WILL WRITE MY LAWS ON THEIR HEARTS

This passage fits nicely with our psalm for the day-the internalizing of God’s Law. The first part of the lesson speaks to the reclaiming of the exilic people of God; God says, "Someday, Israel and Judah will be my field where my people and their livestock will grow" (v. 27). The final three verses envisions the shift of emphasis on the covenant from being simply an external list of requirements to be obeyed to an internalization of the covenant coupled with a new heart to obey God’s Law from the heart. Such a shift will allow people to truly know the Lord and enable them to obey God.

2 TIMOTHY 3:14-4:5-EVERYTHING IN SCRIPTURE IS PROFITABLE

In these final instructions to Timothy, Paul urges his protégé to be faithful to the basics of the truth that he has grown up with. Such biblical truth is indispensable in ministry-useful for teaching, helping people, correcting the wayward, and in showing people how to live. Such truth will train God’s leaders to do "all kinds of good deeds" (CEV, v. 17). Chapter four begins-and ends our lesson-with a return to the basic instruction: preach God’s message faithfully. Preach, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. Use the knowledge that Scripture supplies, to encourage and help people and to correct them from the grievous teachings that many have turned from the truth for.

LUKE 18:1-8-EXCUSE ME, SIR BUT . . .

Jesus tells a story about a poor woman who wants justice with a passion! She just refuses to settle for a non-acting judge. So she pesters the judge every day-like the plot in Charles Dickens novel, Bleak House. In this case she proves the adage, "the squeaky hinge gets the oil." Justice is given so she won’t be able to bother the judge any further. "Won’t God do the same to those folks who just don’t give up praying for justice?" A dark question closes the lesson-when the Son of Man comes, will he find on this earth anyone with faith? (v. 8).